Smoke billows out after IAF’s Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, on July 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
IAF Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan’s Churu district
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
Two pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were killed on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) morning in a crash of a Jaguar trainer aircraft near Churu in Rajasthan.
The IAF said a court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
“An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, today,” it said in a brief statement.
“Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported,” it said.
The IAF said it “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,” it said.
Earlier, Rajasthan police officials said the jet crashed at around 1.25 p.m.
The aircraft crashed in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village around 1.25 p.m., SHO of Rajaldesar, Kamlesh, added. He said human body parts were found near the crash site.
Shortly after the crash, locals rushed to the site and found burning debris. Police from Rajaldesar and Ratangarh, fire brigade officials and ambulances were rushed in, and the area was cordoned off.
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma 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,” Mr. Sharma posted on X and prayed for the peace of the departed souls.
The Governor also expressed condolences over the deaths.
Third crash this year
Wednesday crash marks the third such incident involving an IAF Jaguar fighter jet. Earlier in March a Jaguar fighter jet on a routine sortie crashed at Ambala in Haryana after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot manoeuvred the aircraft away from any habitation on ground, before ejecting safely.
In April however, one pilot was killed when the Jaguar fighter jet on a routine sortie, crashed near Jamnagar. “ The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to airfield and local population. Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries,” the IAF had said.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – July 09, 2025 02:15 pm IST