Another ‘Boom’ leaves Bengaluru puzzled

Bengaluru, Jul 02: A loud sound alarmed residents of Bengaluru this afternoon and triggered a flood of posts on social media. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has denied any role in what many suspected was a sonic boom like last year.
The sound, which many described as a loud “boom”, was heard around 12.30 pm in the Karnataka capital.
Last year, a similar sound heard in large parts of Bengaluru turned out to be the sonic boom of an aircraft on a test flight.
“IAF denies any flying activity or any known action from their side to have caused any loud sound reportedly heard in Bengaluru. None of the IAF bases or Units including ASTE (Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment) was flying at that time,” said a Defence spokesperson in Bengaluru. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said it could not comment on what caused the sound. “Regular sorties of fighters and trainers take place from HAL airport. Today was no different. HAL can’t comment on the loud noise reportedly heard today in Bengaluru,” said HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar.