According to an official statement issued by the SLAF, the confrontation occurred when three individuals entered the designated safety perimeter of the field firing range while the sensitive exercise was actively underway. The Air Force emphasized that these individuals had breached the boundary without any prior permission, authorization, or notification.
Upon noticing the intrusion, seven Air Force personnel on active duty, alongside an officer from the Police Special Task Force (STF), intercepted the individuals to verify their identities. During the questioning, it was established that one of the individuals was a police officer, while the other two were civilians accompanying him.
However, a heated verbal argument erupted between the two groups during the inquiry. The SLAF noted that because active bomb disposal training was in progress, the area had been legally declared a restricted hazardous zone, strictly closed to the general public.
The Air Force reiterated that it bears full responsibility for the safety and security of anyone entering the perimeter during such high-risk operations. Consequently, personnel on duty had followed mandatory safety and security protocols to mitigate risks and ensure personal safety.
In the wake of the incident, the Commander of the Air Force has appointed a special Board of Inquiry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter and submit a detailed report.
