March 11, 2002

'33'

An-32 INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION

    There have been a series of media reports recently on the incident involving an IAF transport aircraft being fired at near Kargil. The facts related to the incident are as follows: -

1. An An-32 transport aircraft of the IAF suffered damage while on a mission in the Kargil sector, on 19^th February 2002. The aircraft was damaged but was recovered safely at Leh airfield. Subsequently the aircraft was flown to its parent base.
2. A formal inquiry was ordered immediately to investigate the incident. It is under finalisation.

 

3. There is no evidence whatsoever, attributing the incident, directly or indirectly, to ground fire by the Indian Army.
4. The Indian Army is assisting the IAF in every possible way at the investigations to establish all facts relating to the incident.

    It is regrettable that speculative and inaccurate reports on various aspects of the incident are appearing in the media while the matter is still under investigation.