IAF MiG 21 crashes in Rajasthan, kills two women

New Delhi: An Indian Air Force MiG 21 fighter jet has crashed at the Hanumangarh District in Rajasthan. Two civilians have been killed in the incident. However, the pilot of the aircraft is safe.

As per the defence sources, the IAF jet took off from the Suratgarh Air Force station. The pilot reported a technical snag soon after take-off, which led to its crash into a house in Bahlol, killing two women.

The Indian Air Force said in a statement, "A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries. An inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident", the Indian Air Force said in a statement.

"Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families," it added.

This mishap comes days after an Indian Army helicopter with two pilots and a technician crashed in Kishtwar of Jammu and Kashmir. All three injured personnel were injured and taken to Command Hospital, Udhampur.

Last year, two pilots were killed after a twin-seater MiG-21 aircraft crashed in Barmer district of Rajasthan. The aircraft was airborne for a training sortie from Utarlai air base in Rajasthan.

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