Jaguar fighter jet: A Jaguar trainer aircraft has crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu, killing both pilots, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed. Their bodies have been recovered from the wreckage. A team from Rajaldesar police station has reached the spot and has cordoned off the area. A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the crash.

The IAF’s twin-seater trainer version of the Jaguar fighter took off from Suratgarh air base with two pilots onboard. The aircraft crashed into an agricultural field in Bhanoda village at around 1:25 PM, news agency ANI reported, citing defence sources. Following the incident, the Indian Air Force choppers have been sent to the crash site.

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The jet crashed in an open field, with videos showing thick smoke rising from the crash site as villagers rushed toward the agricultural fields. Videos also show the wreckage of the jet.

IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives

Following the crash, officials left for the crash site. IAF said that the tragic crash took place during a routine training mission. 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,” IAF said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

This is the third Jaguar crash this year. Eyewitnesses, as quoted by CNN-News18, say that the aircraft turned into a fireball within seconds.

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A similar incident took place three months earlier, in April, where a two-seater Jaguar aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during a night mission shortly after taking off from Jamnagar Airfield. According to the Indian Air Force, the pilots had encountered a technical malfunction mid-flight and ejected to avoid damage to the airfield and nearby populated areas. One of the IAF pilots, Siddharth Yadav, tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during the ejection, while the second pilot was injured in the incident.

Earlier, on March 7, a Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed near Ambala in Haryana, with the pilot ejecting safely.