Pilot dies after 2 Indian fighter jets crash
New Delhi, Jan 28 (EFE).- An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was killed on Saturday when two military planes crashed in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, officials said.
“Two fighter aircraft of (the) IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission,” the air force tweeted.
“One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.”
The military did not provide more details about the accident and the damaged fighter jets.
But local media citing anonymous defense sources said a Sukhoi-30 plane with two pilots on board and a Mirage 2000 manned by a single man were involved in the crash.
It was unknown immediately if the planes collided.
The accident occurred in the Morena district, near Gwalior city, home to a large military base.
NDTV showed images of the crash site, with parts of the fuselage of one of the crashed planes burning and groups of residents in the area.
Plumes of black smoke and flames could be seen rising from the debris.
Military jet accidents are frequent in India.
India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, who commanded the army, navy, and air force, was killed with 13 other people in a military helicopter crash in November 2021 in southern Tamil Nadu state.
In 2019, an Indian military pilot died after their stunt plane collided with another aircraft during exercises in southern Bangalore.
In October 2017, at least five IAF members died after an M-17 helicopter crashed in Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast.
In December 2015, 10 paramilitary border guards died when their plane crashed in New Delhi. EFE
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