A routine training flight turned tragic on Wednesday when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district, killing both pilots on board. The crash took place around 1:25 PM in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village, causing panic among local residents.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft struggling before it went down, with one person saying the pilot appeared to have made an effort to avoid hitting the village and nearby homes. The jet had taken off from the Suratgarh air base and was on a regular training mission.
“Pilot tried his best to protect the village, I can say it for sure,” the eyewitness told ANI.
Soon after the incident, IAF confirmed that both pilots died in the crash. They also stated that no civilian lives or property were affected, as the aircraft came down in an open field.
In an official message, the Indian Air Force expressed deep sorrow over the loss and said it stood in support of the families of the deceased pilots. A court of inquiry has been ordered to find out the exact cause of the crash.
Local police officers and rescue teams quickly reached the site. Rajaldesar Station House Officer Kamlesh said that human remains had been recovered from the crash site and the local administration was working closely with defence officials on the rescue and investigation efforts.
Third Jaguar crash in 2025
This is the third Jaguar aircraft crash reported in 2025. In March, a Jaguar went down near Ambala in Haryana during a sortie, but the pilot managed to eject safely after steering the plane away from populated areas.
The second crash took place in April near Jamnagar during a night training mission. That jet also suffered a technical issue shortly after takeoff. Both pilots ejected, but one of them, Squadron Leader Siddharth Yadav, died from injuries during the ejection.
The repeated incidents have raised concerns about the aging Jaguar fleet, and investigations are ongoing to understand the reasons behind the crashes.