INTERNATIONAL: India is reviewing its standard operating procedures for weapons systems and will immediately fix any shortcomings after accidentally launching a missile into Pakistan last week, its defence minister has announced on Tuesday,March 15.

The missile, has been released around 7 P.M. last Wednesday,March 9, during routine maintenance and inspection, has landed in Pakistan without causing any casualties, the minister, Rajnath Singh, has told parliament. Singh has added that the safety procedures and protocols for the country's weapon systems were of the “highest priority” and any shortcomings must be “immediately rectified”.

A spokesman for Pakistan’s foreign office, which has sought a joint probe into the incident, has said it was reviewing the Indian minister's statement. Pakistan has demanded clarification from New Delhi over its safety mechanism to prevent accidental missile launches and has urged the international community to help maintain regional stability.

Although tension between India and Pakistan had calmed in recent months, military experts have previously warned against the risk of accidents or miscalculations by the nuclear-armed arch rivals, who have fought three wars.

^{PHOTO: EXTERIOR OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING / SOUNDBITES FROM INDIAN DEFENCE MINISTER RAJNATH SINGH ADDRESSING PARLIAMENT / STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF WHAT PAKISTANI SECURITY SOURCES SAY IS THE REMAINS OF A MISSILE FIRED INTO PAKISTAN FROM INDIA / FILE FOOTAGE OF LINE OF CONTROL AND INDIAN BORDER SECURITY FORCE PERSONNEL PATROLLING}