- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot tragically lost his life, and another was critically injured when their two-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Jamnagar Airfield in Gujarat, as confirmed by the IAF on Thursday.
The incident took place late Wednesday night in Suvarda village, approximately 12 km from Jamnagar city. The aircraft, which was on a night training mission, reportedly experienced a technical malfunction that forced the pilots to eject from the plane.
In an official statement, the IAF expressed its deep regret over the crash and announced that a Court of Inquiry has been initiated to investigate the incident. “An IAF Jaguar two-seater aircraft airborne from Jamnagar Airfield crashed during a night mission. The pilots encountered a technical malfunction and ejected, which prevented harm to the airfield and surrounding population,” the statement read.
“Regrettably, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar,” the IAF added. They also extended condolences to the family of the deceased pilot, affirming their support during this difficult time.
Videos circulating on social media depicted a burning field with debris scattered around. The cockpit and tail section of the aircraft were seen in flames, lying in separate areas.
Officials noted that the unfortunate mishap involved a twin-seat Jaguar, which was conducting a routine training sortie at the time of the crash. This aircraft, known for its twin-engine design, has been an essential part of the IAF since its introduction in the late 1970s.
While it has received extensive upgrades over the years, incidents involving Jaguars have raised concerns about their operational viability. This crash occurs less than a month after another Jaguar aircraft went down in Ambala, Haryana, on March 7, due to a system malfunction, with the pilot successfully ejecting before the jet crashed away from populated areas.
