The defence ministry of India says it accidentally fired a missile into Pakistan.
The incident was said to have occurred on March 9 and India blamed it on a “technical malfunction”.
In a tweet on Friday, the defence ministry said the Indian government will investigate the incident.
“On March 9, 2022, during routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental missile firing,” the post reads.
‘The Government of India has taken serious view and ordered court of enquiry. Missile landed in Pakistan area.
“Incident is regrettable and matter of relief that there’s been no loss of life.”
On 9 Mar 2022 during routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to accidental #missile firing
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) March 11, 2022
Govt of #India has taken serious view & ordered Court of Enquiry
Missile landed in Pakistan area
Incident is regrettable & matter of relief that there's been no loss of life pic.twitter.com/y4xjsJRjbh
Commenting on the incident in a series of tweets on Friday, Moeed Yusuf, national security adviser of Pakistan, said it was wrong for India to wait for days before accepting responsibility for firing the missile.
“On March 9th, a supersonic projectile from India traveling at 40,000 feet covered over 250 km & landed inside Pakistani territory,” he wrote.
“It has taken more than 2 days for India to accept that this was their missile launched ostensibly due to a technical malfunction during maintenance.
“This raises serious questions about India’s ability to handle such sensitive technology. This missile traveled close to the path of international and domestic commercial airlines and threatened the safety of civilians.”
On March 9th, a supersonic projectile from India traveling at 40,000 feet covered over 250 km & landed inside Pakistani territory. It has taken more than 2 days for India to accept that this was their missile launched ostensibly due to a technical malfunction during maintenance.
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) March 11, 2022
The Pakistani army had said the missile was shot down, while also seeking answers from India on the incident.
Meanehile, both countries have been involved in conflict dating back several years, especially over which nation controls the Kashmir territory.
India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons.
