The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed on Thursday that a pilot who was critically injured in a Jaguar fighter jet crash in Gujarat has succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, the co-pilot, who managed to eject safely from the aircraft, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar.
An official statement issued by the Indian Air Force said, "The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to the airfield and local population."
The IAF official X handle announced the news of the pilot's death: "IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident."
Reports suggest that the injured pilot is currently receiving treatment at the government-run GG Hospital, where their condition is reported to be stable.
The Crash
A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar on Wednesday evening.
According to the Indian Air Force (IAF) officials, the twin-seater Jaguar was on a routine training sortie when it crashed.
The incident took place in Suvarda village, 12 km from Jamnagar city. Video from the spot showed what appeared to be a field on fire with the cockpit of the crashed plane and its tail.
The Jaguar is a twin-engine fighter bomber, with single and twin-seat variants, which is very widely used in the IAF. First inducted in the late 70s, it has been heavily upgraded over the years.
This is the second incident in a month. In March, another Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Panchkula in Haryana due to a system malfunction. The pilot managed to steer the plane away from populated areas but ejected safely.
