Jaguar fighter jet crashes in India, leaving one pilot dead

An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot lost his life, and another sustained severe injuries after a Jaguar two-seater fighter aircraft crashed during a night mission in Gujarat’s Jamnagar on April 2.

Shortly after the crash, one of the pilots managed to eject safely, while the other was initially reported missing, Caliber.Az reports via Indian media.

The rescued pilot was promptly taken to the hospital for urgent medical care.

The aircraft went down in an open field in Suvarda village, approximately 12 kilometers from Jamnagar city, and caught fire upon impact.

In a statement on X, the Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilots had encountered a technical malfunction, leading them to initiate ejection procedures in an effort to prevent damage to the airfield and the local population.

"Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family," the statement read.

Following the crash, the defense authorities launched a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.

This incident comes just weeks after another IAF Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Ambala in Haryana on March 7. In that case, the pilot safely ejected from the aircraft after it developed a malfunction during a routine evening sortie from the Ambala Air Force base.

A Court of Inquiry was also initiated to determine the cause of the Ambala crash.

By Tamilla Hasanova