Jaipur: An Indian Air Force's (IAF) Jaguar trainer fighter jet crashed in Churu, Rajasthan, on Wednesday afternoon, claiming the lives of both pilot and co-pilot onboard. The Indian Air Force has constituted a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the causes of the accident.
The plane crashed in an agriculture field in Bhanuda village at around 1.25 pm, with locals reporting a loud explosion. The debris of the fighter jet got scattered in a large area at the place where the plane crashed; however, no civil property was damaged.
Posting a brief statement on X, the IAF confirmed the accident and said, “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today.”
The IAF has confirmed the fatal injuries of both the pilots as well and said that both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief.
“A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, “posted IAF on social media.
The Churu SP Jai Yadav said that the plane crashed in Bhanuda village. Pieces of badly mutilated bodies of pilot and co-pilot have been found near the debris.
As per reports, the Jaguar fighter jet had flown from Suratgarh airbase near Sri Ganganagar and was being used for training.
The locals said that they first heard the rumbling of the plane, then there was a loud explosion. Police from nearby police stations of Rajaldesar and Ratangarh, fire brigade officials, and ambulances were rushed in, and the area was cordoned off.
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and farmer CM Ashok Gehlot have expressed grief over the incident
.“Sad news of the crash of an Indian Air Force plane in the Ratangarh area of Churu district has been received. Immediately after the incident, the administration is in alert mode, and instructions have been given to the officials for relief and rescue work,” CM Sharma posted on X and prayed for the peace of the departed souls.
