Pune, Mar 27 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Girish Bapat Wednesday congratulated DRDO scientists for shooting down a satellite "which was keeping a watch on India".

Apparently, Bapat, the BJP's candidate for Pune Lok Sabha seat, did not realise that it was a test of an anti-satellite missile and India had shot down one of its own low-orbit satellites.

"India, using anti-satellite missile, successfully shot down a live satellite at 300 km from earth in outer space, which was keeping a watch on India," he tweeted in Marathi.

He congratulated Defence Research and Development Organisation's scientists for the success of `Mission Shakti'.

After the post came in for trolling, the minister's social media team deleted it.

According to the DRDO, a Ballistic Missile Defence Interceptor Missile successfully engaged an Indian orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit in a 'Hit to Kill' mode.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced success of the test in a nation-wide broadcast.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)