New Delhi, The Indian Air Force (IAF) has disclosed the reasons behind the accidental launch of a BrahMos missile into Pakistan two years ago, explaining the circumstances to the Delhi High Court and detailing the implications of the incident.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the IAF’s statement in court highlighted a technical glitch, noting that the missile’s combat connectors remained engaged with the junction box, leading to the unintentional firing. The Economic Times reported the mishap resulted in a financial loss of approximately 25 crore rupees and strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.

An inquiry by the IAF implicated three officers of the Combat Team in the incident: Group Captain Saurabh Gupta, Squadron Leader Pranjal Singh, and Wing Commander Abhinav Sharma. The incident not only posed a security threat but also damaged the reputation of the Indian Air Force and the national image, causing significant financial and diplomatic repercussions.

This account was part of the IAF’s response to a legal petition by Wing Commander Abhinav Sharma, who argued that the blame should also be attributed to higher-ranking officials for neglecting safety measures. The event, dated March 9, 2022, has been ascribed to human error during routine maintenance, marking a rare breach of international protocol and leading to heightened scrutiny over the IAF’s missile handling procedures.