Loud Sounds Over Amritsar Due to IAF Readiness Exercise: Report

During the exercise, IAF jets, including frontline aircraft, had flown at supersonic speeds, the report said.

A Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. Photo for representative purposes. 

(Photo: PTI)  

On Friday morning, ANI reported that the Indian Air Force had carried out a major readiness exercise on Thursday, 14 March night over Punjab and Jammu in which a large number of fighter aircraft had participated, clarifying that this was the reason for the two loud sounds that had been heard over Amritsar on Thursday night.

During the exercise, IAF jets, including frontline aircraft, had flown at supersonic speeds in the border districts including Amritsar, the report said, quoting sources. The report added that the reason for carrying out the combat drill was to be prepared for thwarting any misadventure by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to intrude into the Indian air space.

On Thursday night, Twitter users in Amritsar took to the social media platform to raise concerns after they heard “two loud explosions”. #Amritsar trended on Twitter as people shared thoughts on what the sounds could have been.

Panic After Hearing Loud Sounds

Users said it could have been a sonic boom, which is a loud noise generated when jets break the sound barrier while flying faster than the speed of sound.

The police tried to pacify the people, asking them to not believe the rumours. Jagjit Singh Walia, ADCP Amritsar told ANI, “I appeal to the people to not believe in rumours on social media. Everything is okay, as per our information nothing has happened.”

Some users said that “a loud, trembling sound” had been heard in the city at about 1:15 am on Thursday night.

(With inputs from ANI.)