On March 9, an Indian missile fell 124 km inside Pakistan near its city of Channu Mian. India says that this happened due to technical glitch. Pakistan claims that it was a supersonic missile without a warhead. Pakistan demanded an inquiry. Expressing regret over this development, the Indian Defense Ministry ordered an inquiry. After this, diplomatic tussle has started between the two countries. Pakistan has demanded a joint inquiry. China has also jumped into this matter and has started advising both the countries to investigate the incident together.
what is the event
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the missile accidentally fired due to a technical fault. The missile was launched from Sirsa in Haryana, which fell within 124 kms of Pakistan border via Suratgarh at around 6.43 pm. The Pakistani army said in its statement, the high-speed missile fell after flying 124 km into Pakistani airspace at an altitude of 40 thousand feet and at Mach-3 speed. Pakistan said that due to this, aircraft passengers in the airspace of India and Pakistan, as well as human life and property on the ground, were endangered. Usually passenger planes fly at an altitude of 31 thousand to 38 thousand feet. It is not yet clear whether this Indian missile had flown in the way of any aircraft.
What is the agreement between Indo-Pak
India and Pakistan signed an agreement in 2005 to inform each other about ballistic missile tests. Under this ‘Flight Testing of Ballistic Missile Agreement’, these two countries have to give advance information about the testing of any land or sea and land-to-land ballistic missile. According to this agreement, before any such test, both countries should issue a notice of Air Mission (NOTAM) or Navigational Warning (Navaria) to alert pilots and sailors. Also, the testing country has to ensure that the place where the missile is to be fired is 40 km away from the border of both the countries.
Apart from this, the place where the missile has to fall should be at least 75 km from the International Border or Line of Control. The missile should not cross the range during flight. The missile should remain at least 40 km away from the range during the entire flight. Both countries have to fix a launch window of at least five days for missile testing. Also, this launch window has to be told at least three times in advance. This information is given through the Foreign Office and High Commission of the country concerned.
Why is Pakistan raising questions?
The missile, which flew from India from Sirsa, changed its course in the air and entered the territory of Pakistan. Due to the high speed, Pakistan could not ascertain whether the flying object was a missile or not. Now on the basis of his debris, many questions are being raised about the investigation from there. On the other hand, neither India nor Pakistan has clarified which missile it was. Pakistan claims that this missile traveled 200 km, performed acrobatics in the air, flew at a height of 40 thousand feet and at Mach 3 speed i.e. 3 times the speed of sound.
guess which missile
According to experts, the missile fired by mistake was the BrahMos land-attack supersonic cruise missile, which is a conventional (non-nuclear) weapon. BrahMos missile speed is Mach 2-3, has a range of about 290 km and is capable of flying up to 15 km (altitude of about 50 thousand feet). According to the Kistani claim, this Indian missile changed its course in the middle of the air.
The latest version of the BrahMos missile is equipped with such technology. That is, after being fired, it also has the ability to change its path before reaching the target. Generally missiles or laser guided bombs are able to target only a pre-determined target, whereas BrahMos missile can target even after being fired if its target is changing its position.
What is the probability of accidentally launching
Two reasons are given for the mistaken launch of the missile. Before testing a cruise missile, target instructions are given in it. After that, when fired from the ground, he goes on his way. In some missiles, the target can be updated mid-flight. Normally, such missiles have a single fuse. If it breaks down during flight it can be destroyed.
But if its contact is lost it cannot be destroyed. There have been many incidents of accidental launch in the world. In September of the year 2020, Russia was conducting maneuvers in Moscow with 12 countries of the world including China, Pakistan and Iran. There Russia tested its S-400 missile.
Two missiles were properly tested but one missile fell on the ground. The same happened during the Shaheen-3 missile test in Pakistan in January 2021. The missile had fallen in the Dera Bugti area.
what the experts say
Anything that enters the airspace of any country is considered an attack. It is difficult to know whether the missile was fired accidentally or intentionally. In such a situation, both the countries will have to exercise restraint and talk through diplomatic channels.
Many questions are being raised. India has said that the missile detonated during routine exercises and maintenance. Statements are coming from Pakistan side. China has started saying too. India and Pakistan should talk directly in this matter.