New Delhi: Three civilians were killed when a MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan.
The pilot of the fighter jet survived with minor injuries as he ejected after noticing onboard emergency, the IAF said in a statement.
The aircraft had got airborne for a routine operational training sortie from the Air Force Station at Suratgarh, the statement said.
“Soon thereafter, the pilot experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures. Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection, sustaining minor injuries in the process,” the IAF said.
The pilot was recovered from about 25 kilometres North East of Suratgarh base, it said.
“The aircraft wreckage fell on a house in Bahlol Nagar in Hanumangarh District, unfortunately leading to the loss of three lives,” the statement said, about the mishap that happened at around 9.45 am.
“The IAF regrets the loss of lives and offers its deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” the statement said.
A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, it said.
