IAF scrambles MiGs after Pak violates no-fly zone

The Air Force has confirmed the incident and is likely to approach the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Pakistan.

8216;8216;As per preliminary information, a blip was seen on the radar approaching close to the border. It did not cross the border. As a precaution, we scrambled interceptors from the Suratgarh air base. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident,8221; an IAF spokesperson told The Indian Express.

At a time when the bilateral relationship is passing through a testing phase following the Mumbai blasts and tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats, sources said, both sides need to be careful to ensure such incidents do not take place.

It is suspected that this could have been UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle movement and not a regular aircraft though a final call can only be made after a detailed inquiry. While there have been occasions of airspace violation in the past, it has not always necessitated a scramble.

Sources indicated that warnings were issued through air traffic control but there was no response raising doubts that this could be a UAV. As the situation grew slightly tense, civilian air traffic was asked to be careful with the MIG-21s being flown to encounter a possible intrusion.

The area in question is close to Bikaner in Rajasthan, opposite southern Punjab in Pakistan. Both countries have an arrangement that 10 km either side of the international border will be treated as a no-fly zone to avoid any inadvertent incident.