Manipur: IAF Scrambles Jets After 'UFO' Sighting, Temporarily Halts Operations At Imphal Airport

The airspace over Imphal witnessed a temporary closure, and flight operations at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport were suspended for over three hours on Sunday (19 November).

The Indian Air Force's Eastern Command activated an air defence mechanism following the sighting of an unidentified flying object (UFO) over the airport.

As reported by The Times Of India, the IAF, in a statement, mentioned that the small object was not observed after the initial sighting.

According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Imphal Air Traffic Control (ATC) received reports of a UFO flying over the terminal building, moving southwards, and then remaining stationary above the ATC for a period.

Subsequently, it shifted southwest of the airfield and was visible until 4:05 pm before disappearing.

The UFO, described as a white object visible to the naked eye, became invisible with the onset of dusk.

At 3.55 pm, the IAF's Eastern Command initiated "Mission Red & Mission Blue", scrambling fighter planes in the Imphal airspace.

The mission continued until 5.35 pm and normal flight operations resumed at 5.50 pm after receiving clearance from the IAF.

However, the nature and origin of the unidentified flying object remains under investigation.