The US Department of Defense used a highly classified laser system to shoot down a drone that later turned out to belong to the Department of Homeland Security, The New York Times reported, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, the laser was deployed without approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

After the military used the laser system to bring down the government drone, part of Texas airspace was closed. The incident occurred over Fort Hancock, the Associated Press reported.

Congressman Rick Larsen and members of the House Transportation Committee said they were shocked by the use of a high-risk system against a drone operated by a federal agency.

Earlier, in mid-February, airspace near El Paso International Airport was temporarily restricted after border agents used a laser to shoot down weather balloons, mistakenly identifying them as drones belonging to Mexican drug cartels.