IAF to probe into midair near-collision

The incident, involving two IAF Sukhoi Su-30 fighters and a Jet Airways Boeing-737, occurred on Thursday.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun a probe into midair near miss between two of its combat jets and a commercial airliner on a domestic flight, officials said on Friday.

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"The aim of the inquiry is to find out exactly what happened and to fix responsibility to ensure that such incidents don't recur," an IAF officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The incident, involving two IAF Sukhoi Su-30 fighters and a Jet Airways Boeing-737, occurred on Thursday morning. The Boeing was preparing to land at Rajkot airport in Gujarat while the IAF aircraft were participating in a major aerial exercise.

According to an IAF statement, "the incident took place at about 8.30 am and involved flying of an IAF fighter formation in proximity of the civil airliner.

"Prima facie reports available suggest that the fighter aircraft did not pose any threat to the civil airliner as they were under the control of ground based radar and in visual contact. However, an enquiry has been constituted to look in detail into the matter along with Director General of Civil Aviation."