Mumbai: There was a minor scare over the Indian airspace in Gujarat on Friday night when a Russian military cargo aircraft AN-124 with six passengers and two crew members had to be escorted to Mumbai airport by Indian Air Force planes.
The aircraft, carrying ammunition and weapon, intruded into Indian airspace over Gujarat on Friday night from Pakistan.
On being asked whether it was a military aircraft, the pilot of the aircraft replied that it was a civilian aircraft.
The Mumbai Air Traffic Controller (ATC) then asked the aircraft for a code for verification, which the aircraft couldn't give. After that the ATC called the Indian Air Force.
However, IAF officially denied scrambling of fighter aircraft with sources saying lack of clarity created a doubt on the Russian aircraft's call sign following which the plane was asked to land at the Mumbai airport.
The cargo aircraft landed at the airport at around 2240 hrs IST after being allowed by the Air Traffic Control.
"An AN-124 of Russian-make was made to land at Mumbai Airport by the IAF. The aircraft landed at 10:40 pm and is parked on Runway 14. Security and Immigration agencies are doing the needful. Air traffic at the Mumbai airport is running normally," said Mumbai airport spokesperson.
Security forces have surrounded the aircraft.
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