The Indian Air Force said on Tuesday that one of its fighter jets had shot down an unidentified balloon-shaped object over Rajasthan's Barmer district. The statement came after reports said that a fighter jet had accidentally dropped five bombs over Gugdi in the Barmer district. ANI reported that explosions were heard over a 10-kilometre radius. There were no casualties reported in the blasts. However, villagers claimed the "material" dropped by the fighter plane caused cracks in their houses.

An Indian Air Force team, which reached Gugdi to investigate the incident, said an unidentified object was picked up by the IAF radar between 10.30 am and 11 am and the fighter jet was launched to intercept it. Further investigations are underway, the IAF added.

The incident took place on a day when security forces across the country are taking additional precautions to prevent any untoward activities on the occasion of Republic Day.