In a shocking incident, an Indian Air Force jet was forced to drop fuel tanks and practice bombs over a residential area of Ambala in Haryana on Thursday after a bird hit one of its engines mid-flight. However, no casualties were reported so far.

"Onlyone engine was hit and the pilot managed to land the plane safely at the AirForce base in the city," IAF sources quoted as saying by News agency ANI. "Thepilot jettisoned his fuel tanks and external stores, including some 10 kgpractice bombs, to gain height and managed to land back safely," IAF officialstold ANI.

Meanwhile, the IAF has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

It may be mentioned here that during in-flight emergencies pilots are often required to drop under-wing stores such as bombs and external fuel tanks.