A Fishermen, who ventured into the sea in Panaikulam near Ramanathapuram, spotted a part of missile, suspected to the second stage engine of Brahmos missile which was washed ashore.
According to the media reports, as soon as the fisherman spotted cylindrical object, bearing the logo of BrahMos printed on it, he alerted the Marine police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG).
Upon receiving the information, marine police team led by Inspector of Police Felix Suresh Peter and Sub-Inspector of Police G Ayyanar pulled out the 15-ft long and one tonne weighing ‘engine’, found in waist-deep water in the sea, using ropes to the shore.
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.
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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.
An official reportedly said that the object was not shifted from the shore and security has been put in place to safeguard it. Higher officials will write to the agencies such as DRDO and Isro. Only after inspection by the agency concerned, full details on the object can be obtained.
The missile can be launched from ships, submarines, aircraft or land, he said.
