Within India UAP
What Happened Over Imphal Airport?
The Imphal airport incident shows how quickly an unknown object can trigger aviation precautions without producing a firm identification.
On this page
- Airport disruption and air defence response
- What the Rafale search did and did not find
- Why the case remains unresolved
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Introduction
In November 2023, the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal, Manipur became the centre of an unusual aviation incident when an unidentified flying object (UFO) was reported hovering over the airfield, prompting a significant air‑defence response and disruption of flight operations. While local witnesses and security personnel described seeing something in the sky, official investigation results have remained inconclusive, and no positive identification of the object has been confirmed by the Indian authorities.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
Airport Disruption and Air‑Defence Response
On 19 November 2023 at around 14:30 local time, personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) monitoring the airport reported to air traffic control that an unidentified flying object was visible just above the terminal area and hovering at altitude over the airport. Witnesses on the ground, including airline and airport staff, saw a white object in the sky for over an hour before it disappeared near sunset.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
Because unidentified objects near commercial airfields pose a significant safety concern, the controlled airspace over Imphal was closed, halting all departures and arrivals for more than three hours. Passenger flights were affected: some outbound services were delayed on the ground, while two inbound flights — an IndiGo A320 from Kolkata and another from Delhi — were diverted to Guwahati and Kolkata respectively, as ATC maintained a holding pattern and awaited clearance from security agencies and the Indian Air Force (IAF).[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
To assess potential threats and investigate the sighting, the Indian Air Force’s Eastern Command activated its air defence response mechanism. Two IAF Rafale fighter jets were scrambled from nearby bases to intercept and examine the object. According to defence sources, these aircraft, equipped with advanced sensors, conducted low‑level sweeps of the area but did not detect or visually locate any object upon their arrival; the first aircraft returned to base, and a second was sent with similar results.[The New Indian Express]newindianexpress.comThe New Indian ExpressIndian Air Force scrambled 2 Rafale fighter jets to search for 'UFO' sighted near ImphalNovember 20, 2023…
Operations at the airport were resumed later in the evening — around 17:50 to 18:00 local time — after the IAF gave clearance and flight safety authorities such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorised a return to normal air traffic management.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
What the Rafale Search Did and Did Not Find
A central fact confirmed by multiple news reports is that no instrument or sensor data from radar or from the Rafale jets provided a verified contact or track matching the object seen by human observers. The object’s apparent invisibility on radar — or its extremely low radar cross‑section — was noted by airport officials, suggesting the reflecting area was too small to register on airport radar systems.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
The Eastern Air Command’s post on X (formerly Twitter) reiterated that the response mechanism was launched “based on visual inputs” from the airport, and that “the small object was not seen thereafter” after the air defence operation was underway. This aligns with the fighter jets’ inability to locate any target during their sorties.[www.ndtv.com]
Importantly, authorities have not publicly released any formal investigative findings that would identify the object definitively as a drone, balloon, atmospheric phenomenon, or any other specific class of aerial object. Reports suggest it may have resembled common unmanned aerial vehicles or similar objects in appearance, but neither defence officials nor civil aviation authorities confirmed such classifications in available public statements.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
Why the Case Remains Unresolved
Several factors contribute to the unresolved nature of the Imphal airport incident:
- Lack of Instrumental Confirmation: The object was seen visually by multiple eyewitnesses, yet did not produce a clear radar signature detectable by airport or military sensors, limiting investigative data.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
- Transient Visibility: After dusk, the object disappeared from view and did not reappear in following days, reducing opportunities for follow‑up observation or data collection.[Deccan Herald]deccanherald.comSource details in endnotes.
- No Official Classification: Despite security investigations by the IAF and potential studies by the DGCA, authoritative public reports have not concluded whether the object was a drone, weather balloon, foreign surveillance craft, or another aerial entity. Defence authorities declined to confirm specific details about the nature of the object when questioned by media.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
In the absence of tangible sensor logs, radar tracks, or recovered material associated with the sighting, the Imphal incident remains categorised as an unidentified aerial observation in open media records: an event that triggered a formal air‑defence response and airline disruptions but yielded no confirmed identification or explanation.[The Times of India]timesofindia.indiatimes.comThe Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023…
Endnotes
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Source: ndtv.com
Link: [https://www.ndtv.com/indiaSource snippet
Flying Object Near Imphal Airport: What Exactly Happened...
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Source: ndtv.com
Title: Flight Ops Temporarily Suspended At Imphal Airport After Drone Sighting
Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/flight-ops-temporarily-suspended-at-imphal-airport-after-drone-sighting-9406256Source snippet
October 6, 2025 — Flight Ops Temporarily Suspended At Imphal Airport After Drone Sighting facebook twitter WhatsApp Settings This Article...
Published: October 6, 2025
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Source: ndtv.com
Title: Video | 2 Rafale Jets Were Dispatched After Reports Of UFOs Near Imphal Airport
Link: https://www.ndtv.com/video/2-rafale-jets-were-dispatched-after-reports-of-ufos-near-imphal-airport-740052Source snippet
November 29, 2023 — The Indian Air Force (IAF), soon after receiving information about the sighting of an unidentified flying object near...
Published: November 29, 2023
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/ufo-sparks-3-hour-imphal-airspace-closure/articleshow/105340146.cmsSource snippet
The Times of IndiaUFO: ‘UFO’ sighting shuts Imphal airspace, IAF fighter jets scramble | Imphal News - Times of IndiaNovember 20, 2023...
Published: November 20, 2023
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Source: deccanherald.com
Link: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/ufo-near-imphal-airport-was-visible-till-sometime-before-sunset-on-nov-19-then-disappeared-centre-2811341 -
Source: newindianexpress.com
Link: https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/nov/20/indian-air-force-scrambled-2-rafale-fighter-jets-to-search-for-ufo-sighted-near-imphal-2634601.htmlSource snippet
The New Indian ExpressIndian Air Force scrambled 2 Rafale fighter jets to search for 'UFO' sighted near ImphalNovember 20, 2023...
Published: November 20, 2023
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/mystery-still-surrounds-object-over-manipur-skies/articleshow/105371607.cmsSource snippet
The Times of IndiaIAF: Mystery Still Surrounds Object Over Manipur Skies | Guwahati News - Times of IndiaNovember 21, 2023...
Published: November 21, 2023
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Title: The Times of India IAF hasn’t shared details of ‘UFO’ probe: Airport official
Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/iaf-hasnt-shared-details-of-ufo-probe-airport-official/articleshow/105369198.cmsSource snippet
The Times of IndiaIAF hasn’t shared details of ‘UFO’ probe: Airport officialNovember 29, 2023 — India News: The mystery surrounding the u...
Published: November 29, 2023
Additional References
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Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-air-forces-rafale-fighter-jets-hunt-for-ufo-sighted-near-imphal/articleshow/105349004.cms?from=mdrSource snippet
India: Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets hunt for 'UFO' sighted near Imphal - The Economic TimesNovember 20, 2023 — INDIAN AIR FORCE...
Published: November 20, 2023
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Source: latestly.com
Link: https://www.latestly.com/india/news/ufo-sighting-in-tamil-nadu-officer-claims-he-spotted-unidentified-flying-objects-near-key-nuclear-installations-more-than-10-times-in-august-last-year-5849365.htmlSource snippet
UFO Sighting in Tamil Nadu: Officer Claims He Spotted Unidentified Flying Objects Near Key NuclearMarch 29, 2024 — UFO tracker Sabir Huss...
Published: March 29, 2024
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Source: indianexpress.com
Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/manipur/unidentified-flying-object-imphal-flight-operations-disrupted-9033731/Source snippet
The Indian ExpressNovember 19, 2023 — This is an archive article published on November 19, 2023 ‘UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT’ SIGHTED AT I...
Published: November 19, 2023
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Source: independent.co.uk
Link: https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/india-ufo-sighting-imphal-airport-rafale-jets-b2450811.htmlSource snippet
November 21, 2023 — INDIA SCRAMBLES FIGHTER JETS TO INVESTIGATE UFO SIGHTING AS AIRPORT HALTS FLIGHTS Rafale jets equipped with advanced...
Published: November 21, 2023
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Source: newindianexpress.com
Link: https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/Nov/19/unidentified-object-flies-above-imphal-airport-flight-operations-suspended-for-four-hours-2634378.htmlSource snippet
November 19, 2023 — UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT FLIES ABOVE IMPHAL AIRPORT, FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUSPENDED FOR FOUR HOURS Two flights were diverted...
Published: November 19, 2023
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Source: business-standard.com
Link: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/air-force-sends-rafales-after-ufo-sighting-near-imphal-airport-on-sunday-123112000645_1.htmlSource snippet
Business StandardNovember 20, 2023 — AIR FORCE SENDS RAFALES AFTER 'UFO' SIGHTING NEAR IMPHAL AIRPORT ON SUNDAY THE EASTERN COMMAND OF TH...
Published: November 20, 2023
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Source: openthemagazine.com
Title: Aliens, Radar Blips, and Unexplained Skies: 5 UFO Sightings That Shook the World
Link: https://openthemagazine.com/world/aliens-radar-blips-and-unexplained-skies-5-ufo-sightings-that-shook-the-worldSource snippet
February 28, 2026 — When trained military pilots, radar operators, and air traffic controllers report something they cannot explain, it i...
Published: February 28, 2026
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Source: indiatoday.in
Title: UF O spotted near Imphal airport, Indian Air Force scrambles 2 Rafale jets
Link: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/ufo-spotted-near-imphal-airport-indian-air-force-scrambles-2-rafale-jets-2465196-2023-11-20Source snippet
UFO spotted near Imphal airport, Indian Air Force scrambles 2 Rafale jets - India TodayNovember 20, 2023 — UFO SPOTTED NEAR IMPHAL AIRPOR...
Published: November 20, 2023
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Source: pbs.org
Title: ‘Unidentified object’ downed by U.S
Link: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/unidentified-object-downed-by-u-s-fighter-jets-over-lake-huronSource snippet
fighter jets over Lake Huron | PBS NewsFebruary 12, 2023 — By — Colleen Long, Associated Press Colleen Long, Associated Press By — Lolita...
Published: February 12, 2023
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Source: youtube.com
Title: UFO Sighted Near Imphal Airport, Indian Air Force Scrambles 2 Rafale Jets
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57EloaPvjI4Source snippet
3 All You Need To Know About The Alleged UFO Sighting In Manipur...
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