IAF scrambles fighter jets as Turkish plane sparks alert

July 13, 2014 04:27 pm | Updated 04:27 pm IST - Jodhpur

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday scrambled fighter planes from Jodhpur airbase after two commercial passenger aircraft sought to enter Indian territory from Pakistan side using similar identification codes, sparking a security alert.

Two MiG-21 fighter aircraft were sent from Jodhpur airbase to investigate a Turkish Airlines plane over Jaisalmer on Sunday morning when it repeated an identification code, which is unique to any aircraft, given by a commercial passenger plane that had entered Indian airspace before it. However, the Delhi-bound plane was later allowed to proceed after its credentials were verified, IAF officials said.

The first aircraft entered the Indian territory using its identification code and doubts were raised when the second aircraft gave out the same code, an IAF spokesperson said.

Two MiG-21 fighter aircraft were sent to intercept the aircraft and it was allowed to proceed towards its destination only after the fighter jets verified its credentials, he said.

Sources said the commercial airliner from the West Asian country was on its way to Delhi after flying over Pakistan.

The aircraft was picked up by Indian Air Force’s radar unit based near Jodhpur.

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