India fired missile into Pakistan by accident due to ‘technical malfunction’, defence ministry says
- The incident, which may have been the first of its kind, immediately raised questions about safety mechanisms
- Pakistan said the ‘imprudent launch’ had damaged property and put civilian lives at risk, accusing India of ‘callousness towards regional peace and stability’
Military experts have in the past warned of the risk of accidents or miscalculations by the nuclear-armed neighbours, which have fought three wars and engaged in numerous smaller armed clashes, usually over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
Tensions have eased in recent months, and the incident, which may have been the first of its kind, immediately raised questions about safety mechanisms.
“On March 9, 2022, in the course of a routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile,” the Indian ministry of defence said in a three-paragraph statement.
“It is learnt that the missile landed in an area of Pakistan. While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident.”
The ministry said the government had “taken a serious view and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry”.