SOURCE: AFI
March 9th, 2024 marks the second anniversary of a tense incident between India and Pakistan. On that day in 2022, a BrahMos missile – a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia – inadvertently landed in Pakistani territory near Mian Channu.
Pakistan has used the anniversary to reiterate its call for a comprehensive report from India on the incident. While India has expressed regret and reportedly held some officials accountable, a detailed investigation report remains undisclosed.
Pakistan has also sought a joint investigation but was denied by India. India, citing national security concerns, refused to share details of the internal inquiry or provide technical information about the BrahMos system to Pakistan, which it considers a hostile nation.
Furthermore, India has refuted Pakistan’s claims that the missile can be armed with nuclear capabilities. India maintains the BrahMos is not a nuclear-armed cruise missile and the specific missile in question was an unarmed training round. India further emphasizes its adherence to a no-first-use nuclear policy and its lack of tactical nuclear weapons deployable on cruise missiles, unlike Pakistan.
India has maintained that the missile launch was a technical malfunction and not an intentional act. They have reportedly removed those responsible and expressed regret. However, they have declined to share a detailed inquiry report or conduct a joint investigation with Pakistan.
The incident raised questions about Pakistan’s air defense capabilities. While Pakistan maintains the BrahMos was tracked by its Radars it remained uninterceptable and the missile’s successful 124km journey within Pakistani airspace has sparked discussions on potential vulnerabilities.