3 civilians were killed after an Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed near Hanumangarh in Rajasthan on Monday. The aircraft had taken off from Suratgarh for routine sortie. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was safe after the crash.
The jet reportedly crashed on a house causing civilian casualties. The deceased were identified as Basho Kaur aged 45, Banto aged 60 and Leela Devi aged 55. Three others were injured in the incident identified as Saroj, Vimla and Veerpal Kaur.
Police officials confirmed casualties in the incident
Additional Superintendent of Police, Jassaram Bose earlier in the morning said that at least two civilian casualties have been reported. Both the deceased are said to be women. Bose also said the number of civilian casualties may increase.
Bikaner Inspector General of Police Om Prakash said two people have died and as many injured in the plane crash in Pilibanga area of Hanumangarh district. The pilot made all efforts to avert human casualties and crash-landed the plane on the outskirts of a village, Prakash said.
He said over 2,000 people have gathered at the crash spot and police and administration are trying to maintain law and order.
Indian Air Force issues statement after the crash
"A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today morning at about 0945 hours. The aircraft had got airborne for a routine operational training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh. Soon thereafter, the pilot experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures. Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection, sustaining minor injuries in the process. The pilot was recovered from about 25 kilometres North East of Suratgarh base," said the Indian Air Force in a statement.
"The aircraft wreckage fell on a house in Bahlol Nagar in Hanumangarh District, unfortunately leading to the loss of three lives. The IAF regrets the loss of lives and offers its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident," the statement added.
The Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The MiG-21 fleet is on its last leg and all the remaining three aircraft from the fleet are planned to be poached out by 2025.
Earlier in January, one pilot lost his life after two IAF fighter jets - a Sukhoi-30 and a Mirage 2000 - crashed during a training exercise. While one aircraft crashed in Morena in Madhya Pradesh, the other crashed and landed in Rajasthan's Bharatpur.
