Indian Fighter Jet Crashes Killing 2 Pilots

Liputan6.com, Jakarta An Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashed, killing two pilots on Wednesday (July 9).

The plane crashed in Bhanuda Village, Churu District of Rajasthan, and was the third incident involving a Jaguar aircraft in the last five months, as reported by India Today.

According to preliminary information, the wreckage of the plane was found in a field. The Indian Air Force confirmed the crash.

"A Jaguar trainer aircraft met with an accident on a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, today. Both pilots died in the crash. No damage to civilian property was reported," the Indian Air Force said.

The exact cause of the crash is not yet known. The Indian Air Force stated that it has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

“The Indian Air Force is deeply saddened and stands by the bereaved family at this hour of grief,” the Indian Air Force statement said.

Several sources told India Today TV that the plane was on a training sortie when it crashed.

The Indian Air Force operates several air bases in Rajasthan, with major installations in Jodhpur and Bikaner.

Local police official Rajaldesar Kamessh told news agency PTI that the plane crashed in an agricultural field in Bhanuda village on Wednesday at around 1:25 a.m.

Soon after the incident, panic spread in the area. Villagers reported hearing a loud noise from the sky, followed by flames and smoke rising from the fields.

Residents reported that the accident sparked a fire in a nearby field, which they attempted to extinguish themselves.

Army rescue teams are expected to reach the spot to secure the area and assist with the investigation.

This is the third Jaguar fighter jet crash in the last five months.

On March 7, a Jaguar crashed in Ambala shortly after take-off; fortunately, the pilot ejected safely.