Indian fighter jet shoots down 'Pakistani balloon' during Republic Day

Indian Air Force radar had registered movement of the ‘unidentified balloon-like object’ in Jaisalmer area


News Desk January 27, 2016
An Indian soldier salutes as he rides an Akash weapon system of air defence during India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

The Indian Air Force claimed on Tuesday to shoot down ‘a Pakistani balloon’ during the Indian Republic Day in Rajasthan.

The radar of the Indian Air Force had registered the movement of the ‘unidentified balloon-like object’ in Jaisalmer area, frightening the authorities who immediately considered to shoot the balloon down.

"Due to heightened security alert, the balloon was shot down," Indian defence spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Manish Ojha said.

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The authorities also inspected the debris of the balloon, which was later cleared of carrying any spying device.

"On the analysis of the debris, it was established there was no dangerous payload,"Ojha said.

Earlier in May 2015, a pigeon allegedly bearing a stamped message with a wire-like object on its body made Indian authorities question its flight into the village of Pathankot in Punjab.

According to reports, the bird landed on the mud brick house of Ramesh Chandra, a barber, in Manwal village, 4kms from Pakistan border.

Suspicions were aroused by the Urdu markings, which were reported to the nearest police station by Chandra’s son.

The article originally appeared on DNA India

COMMENTS (14)

Asad | 8 years ago | Reply Using a fighter jet to shoot down a balloon? If it is so necessary for idle Indian air force to test their skills of flying and shooting then they should at least raise its standard and stop shooting a balloon!
Salman | 8 years ago | Reply I pay "5" rupees to Pathan and fire unlimited number of "Charaas" to pop the balloon, attached to his target board.
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