On May 27, 1997, an Indian MiG‑25 fighter, known to NATO as "Foxbat", entered Pakistani airspace at an altitude of 65,617 feet, a height well above the typical operational ceiling of commercial airliners.
The MiG‑25, developed in the 1970s, is a high‑altitude interceptor capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.5; its presence at such altitude indicates a surveillance or training mission.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal protest, demanding an explanation from New Delhi and citing the violation of international airspace norms.
No official statement was issued by the Indian Ministry of Defence, leaving the mission’s purpose unclear.
The incident added to a series of contentious airspace disputes between the two nations, including the 2016 overflight that triggered a brief diplomatic standoff.
In the days that followed, both governments engaged in back‑channel communications, and the event was reported to the United Nations Security Council, prompting a brief discussion on the violation.