March 9th, 2024, marks two years since the unprecedented accidental firing of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India into Pakistani territory.
The incident, which occurred near Mian Channu, triggered an escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Pakistan continues to demand answers as India maintains silence on key details.
Demands from Islamabad
Pakistan has used the second anniversary of the incident to renew calls for a full and transparent report from India. Islamabad expresses frustration about the lack of information concerning the technical malfunction that caused the launch and the measures taken by India to prevent future incidents.Pakistan has consistently sought a joint investigation into the incident, seeking access to technical information on the BrahMos system; however, India has denied all such requests.
India Cites National Security
India has maintained firm control over the information surrounding the BrahMos launch. Citing national security concerns, the country has refused to share details of its internal investigation or technical information about the missile system with Pakistan.India has reiterated that the launch was a result of a technical malfunction during routine maintenance and that those responsible have been held accountable.
Nuclear Questions and Air Defence Concerns
The incident raised broader questions that remain unanswered. Pakistan has contested the classification of the BrahMos as a conventional cruise missile, claiming it has nuclear capabilities.India strongly disputes this, maintaining that the BrahMos is not a nuclear-capable system and that the missile in question was an unarmed training round. India further stresses that it possesses neither the intention nor the tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed via cruise missiles.
The accidental intrusion of the missile into Pakistani airspace also raised concerns about Pakistan's air defence systems. While Pakistan claims to have tracked the BrahMos, its inability to intercept the missile has drawn attention to potential vulnerabilities within its system.
Lingering Tensions
Two years after the incident, the BrahMos mishap continues to fuel tensions between the two countries.Pakistan's dissatisfaction with India's opacity around the investigation and the missile's technical details persists. India's stance on national security and maintaining control over sensitive information leaves little room for resolution.
The lack of transparency on both sides highlights the continuing fragility of the relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
