Brahmos Missile: 3 officers sacked for accidentally firing Brahmos missile

The Defense Ministry on Tuesday terminated the services of three Indian Air Force officers after a high-level probe held them responsible for the accidental firing of the BrahMos missile into Pakistan on March 9. The Court of Inquiry (CoA) in the incident found that the deviation from the SOP by the three officers resulted in the accidental firing of the missile. In this case, soon after the incident, the Defense Ministry had also ordered a 'Court of Inquiry' to investigate the incident. The BrahMos missile fell within 100 kilometers of Pakistani territory. After the incident, the Defense Ministry called it 'deeply regrettable'.

An official statement said a BrahMos missile was accidentally fired on March 9. A Court of Inquiry (Col) set up to establish the facts of the case, including fixing responsibility for the incident, found that deviation from Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the three officers led to the accidental firing of the missile. These three officers have been primarily held responsible for the incident, the statement said. The Central Government has terminated his services with immediate effect. The officers have been ordered to be dismissed on August 23.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed regret over the incident of India's missile accidentally entering Pakistan's territory. He said in Parliament that the government has taken this incident very seriously and has ordered a high-level inquiry. The Defense Minister had said that India's missile system is very safe and reliable. The country's defense establishment accords top priority to safe procedures and standards.

The Defense Minister also said that the government is committed to rectify the lapse if it is found after an inquiry into the incident of accidental missile launch. Pakistan had said that a high-speed object entered Pakistani airspace and fell near Mian Channu area in Khanewal district.