CHURU, July 9 — Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed after a Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday afternoon. The twin-seater trainer version of the jet had taken off from the Suratgarh air base for a routine training mission.
The crash occurred around 1:25 pm, according to Rajaldesar Station House Officer Kamlesh. “The aircraft came down in a field. Human remains were found at the site,” he said.
In a statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the loss and said, “A twin-seater Jaguar aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission today. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief.”
The names of the pilots have not yet been released as formal identification and family notifications are underway.
A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash.
This is the third Jaguar-related crash in 2024. In March, a Jaguar crashed in Ambala due to a system malfunction, though the pilot ejected safely. In April, another twin-seater Jaguar crashed near Jamnagar during a night sortie, claiming the life of one pilot.
The incident has intensified concerns over the operational safety of the aging Jaguar fleet, which continues to serve in ground attack and training roles within the IAF.
