A Sukhoi 30 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force today shot down an "unidentified" balloon shaped object in Barmer district of Rajasthan after the IAF radar picked it, setting off alarm.

Defence sources said that the object is likely to be a meteorological balloon.

"Between 1030 and 1100 hours today, an unidentified balloon shaped object was picked up by IAF radar. An IAF fighter was launched which intercepted the object and brought it down. Further investigation is underway," an IAF spokesperson said.

The incident happened in Barmer, nearly 500 km from Rajasthan capital Jaipur, where some villagers have reported an incident of certain metal pieces falling down from the sky.

IAF officials said the force was on high alert due to Republic Day and the object was flying in from the western sector.