Document · 14 December 2023
Lok Sabha unstarred question 2024: the unidentified object over Imphal airport (answered 14 December 2023)
The Indian government's written answer in Parliament on the object seen over Imphal airport on 19 November 2023. Asked by Manish Tewari MP for the details, whether the airport was closed and whether the object was a danger to aircraft, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation set out the timeline from the air traffic control record, the flights diverted and held, and the NOTAM, and said that any unidentified object near an airport is a danger because its movements are unpredictable.
It describes only a white object that hovered near the control tower and was visible until shortly before sunset. It does not say what the object was.
Sources: Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question No. 2024, answered 14 December 2023 (Ministry of Civil Aviation)
Facts and claims
- documented Answering Manish Tewari MP, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd), told the Lok Sabha that at 14:30 IST on 19 November 2023 Imphal ATC received a telephone message from the CISF control room that an unidentified flying object was seen near the airfield just above the ATC tower; that the object "appeared to be of White colour", moved southwards above the tower and stayed stationary for some time; and that it remained visible till 16:05 IST and then disappeared, sunset being at 16:26 IST. Source: doc-lok-sabha-imphal-ufo-2023.pdf
- documented The answer states that landings and take-offs at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport were suspended for nearly three hours and a NOTAM issued; IndiGo 6E-275 (Kolkata–Imphal) diverted to Guwahati and 6E-5118 (Delhi–Imphal) to Kolkata; and three departures, 6E-525 to Agartala, AI-734 to Kolkata and AI-890 to Guwahati, were held on the ground. Source: doc-lok-sabha-imphal-ufo-2023.pdf
- documented On the danger to aircraft, the minister answered that any unidentified airborne object near an airport "poses a danger to the operation of aeroplanes because of unpredictable movements of the object". The answer gives no identification of the object and does not mention the Air Force's search. Source: doc-lok-sabha-imphal-ufo-2023.pdf
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