(a) whether during a recent scientific expedition in Himachal Pradesh, a Scientist of the ISRO`s Space Application Centre sighted an unidentified flying object (UFO) and took photographs of the object;
(b) if so, whether the photographs of the floating object have been analysed;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the UFO is suspected to be an espionage device; and
(e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto stating the suspected place of its origin?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN):
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b),(c),(d)&(e) A team of scientists from ISRO and the Government college, Dharmashala
were at the Samudra Tapu glacial region, near Chandra Tal, Lahaul and Spiti
District, Himachal Pradesh for an expedition to study the glacial retreat, when
they sighted one unidentified object of 3 - 4 feet size, which had a set of
balloons attached to it. The object was moving down the mountain slope with
ease, and later retreated vertically to the ridge top and moved upwards in the
air. After hovering over the camp site for a few minutes, the object finally
moved towards north and disappeared. The total duration of appearance of
the body was about 40 minutes. The incident was later reported to the Police
and Military authorities concerned. The object was photographed, but being at
a very high altitude, the exact nature of the device could not be concluded.