IAF Fighter Aircraft Drops 'Air Store' Near Pokhran, Nobody Hurt

An Indian Air Force fighter jet "inadvertently" released an "air store" today at the Pokhran Firing Range in Rajasthan. The Air Force said no injuries have been reported and a court of inquiry has been ordered.

The Indian Air Force in a statement said the incident occurred due to a technical malfunction.

"An inadvertent release of an air store from an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft took place near Pokhran firing range area, due to technical malfunction, today," the Indian Air Force (IAF) posted on 'X'.

The air store refers to external equipment or munitions that are attached to a fighter jet's hard points. These air stores can be jettisoned during combat missions. It is unknown which aircraft was involved in the incident and what the nature of the air store was. The Pokhran Firing Range is located in the Thar Desert and is an isolated area used by the Indian Armed Forces to test weapons and conduct firing exercises.