HOSHIARPUR, May 9 – Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, an undetonated China-manufactured PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile was discovered late Thursday night near Kumahi Devi village in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district.
The missile, intercepted mid-air by India’s defence systems, landed in a secluded location and did not cause any damage, officials confirmed. Armed forces personnel, along with the district administration, began operations to safely remove the ordnance on Friday.
“This area has been cordoned off and Indian Air Force authorities have been alerted,” said Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain.
“The IAF has a standing operating procedure to clear missile debris, and we are providing all necessary logistical support. Civilian movement around the site has been restricted for safety.”
This is the second such missile-related incident in Hoshiarpur district since May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
On Wednesday night, missile fragments were recovered from the backyard of a residence in Ghagwal village, Hoshiarpur.
Forensic examination confirmed the debris belonged to a Chinese PL-15 missile, believed to have been neutralised mid-air by the Indian Air Force.
“The missile recovered Thursday night appears similar to the one identified earlier, but official confirmation will come from senior IAF and army officers,” said a senior police official who requested anonymity.
Specialised anti-sabotage units and forensic experts have been deployed at the scene to ensure safe handling and investigation of the missile.
The incident occurred as Hoshiarpur was under a complete blackout along with 15 other Punjab districts—part of heightened civil defence measures amid ongoing national security concerns.
