New Delhi:
A part of a missile, suspected to be that of Brahmos, was found on Wednesday washed ashore at Pudukudiyiruppu in Ramanathapuram district. The part was retrieved by Marine police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG). They suspect it might have fallen into the sea from the skies during tests and got washed ashore by waves. The 'Q' Branch Police, said the 12-foot part weighed 800 kg and had the logo of Brahmos on it. The engine had the date of October 24, 2016, implying the date of manufacture of the engine.
Marine police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) retrieved a part of BrahMos missile that washed ashore on Panaikulam seashore in Ramanathapuram district yesterday. The local fishermen had noticed the cylindrical object and had alerted the authorities, reports ANI. pic.twitter.com/CcBgoEfhVu
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)Â is likely to send a team to examine the engine. The recovered engine was kept at the shore and police picketing has been posted at the site, Marine police said.
The local Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) examined the ‘engine’ with sniffer dog and opined that it posed no danger. Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena, quoting BDDS personnel, said there was no suspicion about explosives in the cylindrical object, according to The Hindu report.
The BrahMos has been developed as a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) of India and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia as BrahMos Aerospacevia an inter-government agreement.
BrahMos was first test-fired on 12 June 2001 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur in a vertical launch configuration. On 14 June 2004, another test was conducted at ITR and BrahMos was fired from a mobile launcher. The vertical launch of BrahMos was conducted on 18 December 2008 from INS Ranvir. The BrahMos I Block-I for the army was successfully tested with new capabilities in the deserts of Rajasthan, at a test range near Pokharan in December 2004 and March 2007.
