Pakistani Border: MiG-21s chase amber disc
Two Indian Air Force MiG-21 jets were sent near the Pakistani border to intercept a radar contact initially thought to be an enemy aircraft. The object moved at 2,600 mph and appeared as an amber disc that outpaced the pursuing pilots.
Background
Incident
On July 11, 1976, two MiG-21 fighters of the Indian air force took off near the border with Pakistan to intercept a radar target that at first appeared to be a Pakistani jet. The object reached speeds of 2,600 miles per hour, far beyond the capability of conventional aircraft.
Sighting and Pursuit
The pilots saw an amber-coloured disc-shaped object, which drew away rapidly before they could close on it. Despite maximum acceleration the target remained out of reach, which indicates exceptional manoeuvrability.
Witnesses and Evidence
The two unnamed Indian air force pilots were the primary witnesses, with visual confirmation and radar support. No further ground observers or instrument data are mentioned, but the radar detection lends the encounter an objective basis.
Significance
This military incident is among the repeated cases of significant UAP encounters with fighter aircraft in border regions. The extreme speed and the evasive manoeuvre have been taken to indicate advanced technology, inconsistent with known aircraft of the era. (Source: Eberhart, p. 817; Good, Need to Know, p. 303)