Jamnagar: A day after an IAF (Indian Airforce) jaguar jet crashed, killing one pilot and leaving another severely injured near Gujarat's Jamnagar, a CCTV footage at the time of the crash has emerged and is making rounds on the social media.
The jet can be seen tumbling down behind the trees, and a bright flash of light moments after the crash can be seen in the video.
The crash took place at approximately 9:30 pm. Reportedly, the pilots faced a technical glitch midair and initiated ejection.
As soon as the pane crashed in an open field, it erupted into flames and the area was engulfed with spoke and fire.
The injured pilot is currently admitted at the Guru Gobind Singh Government Hospital and is in a stable condition and out of danger.
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to probe the reason of the accident and determine the circumstances leading to the technical glitch.
"An IAF Jaguar two seater aircraft airborne from Jamnagar airfield crashed during a night mission. The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to the airfield and local population. Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family . A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," a statement issued by the IAF read.
Crash Took Place During Training Sortie
Reports quoting officials confirmed that the ill-fated Jaguar was on a scheduled training sortie when it met with the accident. The aircraft, known for its twin-engine configuration, has been an integral part of the Indian Air Force since its induction in the late 1970s. Designed for deep penetration strikes and ground attack missions, the Jaguar has played a vital role in India’s defence operations over the decades.
Another Jaguar Jet Crash Reported Earlier This Month
In a similar incident reported earlier this month, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed near Baldwala village in the Morni Hills area of Haryana’s Ambala district on March 7. The aircraft had taken off from the Ambala airbase for a routine training sortie when it encountered a system malfunction, prompting the pilot to eject.