Air Force scrambles fighter jets as Turkish Airlines plane sparks alert
JAISALMER: The Indian Air Force on Sunday scrambled fighter planes from Jodhpur air base after two Turkish passenger aircraft sought to enter Indian territory from Pakistan side using similar identification codes, sparking a security alert.
The flights were on their way to Mumbai and Delhi. With the pilots giving the same Identification Friendly Foe (IFF) code, which is unique to any aircraft, two MiG-21 fighter aircraft were sent from Jodhpur air base to investigate the planes over Jaisalmer.
However, the passenger planes were later allowed to proceed after their credentials were verified, IAF officials said.
Identification codes are issued to commercial airplanes to establish their identity before they enter the territory of any particular country during international flights.
The first aircraft entered Indian territory using its identification code and doubts were raised when the second aircraft gave out the same code, an IAF spokesperson said.
However, soon the pilots of Turkey flights realized their mistakes and gave separate right code, after which the issue was settled.
Confirming about the incident, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Gerald Gulbe said that one of the Turkey flights' pilot mentioned wrong code on which the IAF became alert. As per procedure, two MiG 21 Bisons were scrambled from Jodhpur air base, he said.
Courtesy: Times of India, Jul 13, 2014
JAISALMER: The Indian Air Force on Sunday scrambled fighter planes from Jodhpur air base after two Turkish passenger aircraft sought to enter Indian territory from Pakistan side using similar identification codes, sparking a security alert.
The flights were on their way to Mumbai and Delhi. With the pilots giving the same Identification Friendly Foe (IFF) code, which is unique to any aircraft, two MiG-21 fighter aircraft were sent from Jodhpur air base to investigate the planes over Jaisalmer.
However, the passenger planes were later allowed to proceed after their credentials were verified, IAF officials said.
Identification codes are issued to commercial airplanes to establish their identity before they enter the territory of any particular country during international flights.
The first aircraft entered Indian territory using its identification code and doubts were raised when the second aircraft gave out the same code, an IAF spokesperson said.
However, soon the pilots of Turkey flights realized their mistakes and gave separate right code, after which the issue was settled.
Confirming about the incident, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Gerald Gulbe said that one of the Turkey flights' pilot mentioned wrong code on which the IAF became alert. As per procedure, two MiG 21 Bisons were scrambled from Jodhpur air base, he said.
Courtesy: Times of India, Jul 13, 2014
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