Low-flying jet triggers brief panic in Puttur

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, Mar 4, 2026: At a time when war clouds loom over the Middle East, it is natural for people to feel anxious at the sight of any unusual object flying in the sky. In such a tense atmosphere, the sudden appearance of a large aircraft flying repeatedly at very low altitude caused concern among residents of Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of March 3, when a small jet aircraft was seen flying multiple times at an extremely low height over the town. The sight initially triggered panic among the public. However, it was later clarified that the flight was part of a scientific survey related to earth sciences, bringing relief to residents.

People noticed the jet flying very close to the ground above the fields near the premises of the Mahalingeshwara Temple in Puttur. The aircraft reportedly circled different parts of the town around 10 to 15 times.

Initially, there was no information about who was operating the aircraft or the purpose of its flights, which further fueled public anxiety. Authorities later confirmed that the aircraft was conducting a geophysical survey related to the study of the earth’s structure.

The aircraft had taken off from Mangaluru International Airport and was carrying out survey operations over Chikkamagaluru and the Western Ghats region for scientific research purposes, particularly for geophysical studies.