The target of the mission was supposed to be a religious seminary, but the incompetence of the Indian Air Force officers saved the day. The highly advanced Israeli guidance kit used by the pilots was not programmed correctly, resulting in the bombs overshooting their intended targets and landing in a nearby ditch. This was part of Operation Bandar (Monkey), which was a politically motivated military operation that risked India’s national security.
The failure of the Indian Air Force to hit their ground targets accurately was one of the biggest blunders in modern air combat. All five bombs were incorrectly guided, indicating a significant failure of Indian pilot training and the professionalism of the Indian Air Force. However, many Indians still believe that the mission was successful, despite the truth being known by educated Indians and many in the Indian defense and strategic communities.
