India missile launch accident: 'many soldiers found responsible'

For the "accidental" firing of an Indian missile in March, multiple people have been found responsible, according to government sources quoted by news agency ANI. "Swift and severe" punishment would be handed out to personnel of the missile squadron involved in the incident, according to the news report.

The conclusions are based on an inquiry by Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) Air Vice Marshal RK Sinha, as per ANI.

On March 9, a missile was "accidentally" launched, and it landed inside Pakistani territory. The Pakistan military claimed that the unarmed missile was supersonic, leading to speculation that it could have been a Brahmos.

The incident was labelled "totally avoidable" by the government source quoted by ANI. Further action is expected in the coming weeks as the Defence Ministry has been briefed about the inquiry committee's findings, said the report.

The case has been taken seriously by the Indian Air Force, and the military wing is reviewing internal processes and standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent such an incident in the future.

Following the incident, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had told Parliament that Indian missile systems are "reliable and safe", and safety procedures and protocol are of the "highest order".