The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday expressed regret after an "inadvertent drop" of a non-explosive aerial store from one of its aircraft caused property damage in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district.

According to Indian media, a heavy metallic object fell from the sky, striking the home of Manoj Sagar and damaging two outer rooms. Shivpuri’s Superintendent of Police, Aman Singh Rathor, confirmed that four occupants of the house were unharmed. “Police and administrative teams are at the scene,” Rathor said.

In a statement posted on X, the IAF said it had launched an inquiry into the incident and regretted the damage caused.

Separately, senior police official Prashant Sharma said the exact origin of the object would be confirmed following an investigation. He described the item as "extremely solid" with visible burn marks. "The Gwalior airbase has been contacted, and an expert team is expected to arrive to ascertain the nature and source of the object," Sharma added.

Pakistan ready for ‘neutral investigation’ into Pahalgam attack, says PM Shehbaz Sharif

The incident came as tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack earlier this week in India-occupied Kashmir. In Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination, gunmen opened fire on visitors, killing at least 26 people — mostly men from different parts of India, along with one individual from Nepal — and injuring 17 others.

Responding to India's allegations, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) urged New Delhi to avoid its "reflexive blame game" and condemned what it described as the "cynical, stage-managed exploitation" of the Pahalgam incident to advance political aims.

With inputs from India Today