'Deeply regrettable': Technical malfunction led to 'accidental firing of missile' into Pakistan, says Defence Ministry

The Defence Ministry on Friday said a "technical malfunction" in the course of routine maintenance led to the "accidental firing of a missile'' into Pakistan on March 9.

Pic for representational use only

New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Friday said that a "technical malfunction" in the course of routine maintenance led to the "accidental firing of a missile'' into Pakistan on March 9.

The Defence Ministry said the missile landed in an area of Pakistan and noted that the "incident is deeply regrettable".

#MoD statement on accidental firing of a missile.
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— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) March 11, 2022

The Pakistan military on Thursday said that a high-speed projectile launched from India entered the Pakistani airspace and fell near Mian Channu in Khanewal district.

The Defence Ministry said the Government of India has taken a serious view of the incident and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry into it. "On March 9, in the course of a routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile," it said in a 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," it added.