Airspace violation: IAF intercepts Georgian aircraft coming from Pakistan

New Delhi/Jaipur: IAF fighter jets on Friday intercepted a Georgian An-12 aircraft flying from Tbilisi to Delhi via Karachi and forced it to land at the Jaipur airport after the plane entered Indian air space from an unscheduled point, officials said.

The crew members of the cargo aircraft, which entered Indian airspace at 3.15 pm, were questioned at Jaipur, they said, adding the investigation lasted several hours and the plane was being allowed to leave.

The aircraft did not follow the authorised Air Traffic Services (ATS) route and was “shadowed and forced” to land at Jaipur for necessary investigation when it was flying at 27,000 ft, the officials said.

CISF personnel immediately cordoned off the airport area.

The IAF said the aircraft entered Indian air space in North Gujarat sector and the air defence interceptor on operational readiness was scrambled and vectored towards the aircraft for investigation.