Firstpost
  • Home
  • Video Shows
    Vantage Firstpost America Firstpost Africa First Sports
  • World
    US News
  • Explainers
  • News
    India Opinion Cricket Tech Entertainment Sports Health Photostories
  • Asia Cup 2025
Apple Incorporated Modi ji Justin Trudeau Trending

Sections

  • Home
  • Live TV
  • Videos
  • Shows
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Health
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • Web Stories
  • Business
  • Impact Shorts

Shows

  • Vantage
  • Firstpost America
  • Firstpost Africa
  • First Sports
  • Fast and Factual
  • Between The Lines
  • Flashback
  • Live TV

Events

  • Raisina Dialogue
  • Independence Day
  • Champions Trophy
  • Delhi Elections 2025
  • Budget 2025
  • US Elections 2024
  • Firstpost Defence Summit
Trending:
  • PM Modi in Manipur
  • Charlie Kirk killer
  • Sushila Karki
  • IND vs PAK
  • India-US ties
  • New human organ
  • Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Movie Review
fp-logo
Who was Siddharth Yadav, the IAF pilot who died in the Gujarat jet crash?
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter
Apple Incorporated Modi ji Justin Trudeau Trending

Sections

  • Home
  • Live TV
  • Videos
  • Shows
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Health
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • Web Stories
  • Business
  • Impact Shorts

Shows

  • Vantage
  • Firstpost America
  • Firstpost Africa
  • First Sports
  • Fast and Factual
  • Between The Lines
  • Flashback
  • Live TV

Events

  • Raisina Dialogue
  • Independence Day
  • Champions Trophy
  • Delhi Elections 2025
  • Budget 2025
  • US Elections 2024
  • Firstpost Defence Summit
  • Home
  • Explainers
  • Who was Siddharth Yadav, the IAF pilot who died in the Gujarat jet crash?

Who was Siddharth Yadav, the IAF pilot who died in the Gujarat jet crash?

FP Explainers • April 4, 2025, 13:50:53 IST
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter

The Jaguar fighter jet crash near Gujarat’s Jamnagar on Wednesday night, tragically claimed the life of a 28-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav. After the Jaguar aircraft suffered a ’technical malfunction’, the young pilot made the brave decision to steer it away from densely populated areas, saving countless civilian lives

Advertisement
Subscribe Join Us
Add as a preferred source on Google
Prefer
Firstpost
On
Google
Who was Siddharth Yadav, the IAF pilot who died in the Gujarat jet crash?
The Jaguar fighter jet crash on Wednesday night claimed life of Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav. The 28-year-old IAF pilot who belonged to Haryana's Rewari. Image courtesy: X/@abhishekyadav97

A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Wednesday night during a routine training sortie. The crash tragically claimed the life of a young IAF pilot, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav.

In his final moments, the 28-year-old pilot, who belonged to Haryana’s Rewari, made a split-second decision that saved countless civilian lives. As the aircraft went down, the pilot heroically steered it away from a densely populated area, preventing a larger disaster. Not only this, he also ensured his co-pilot’s safety by ejecting him first, before sacrificing his own life.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Here’s what we know about him.

Family with a legacy of military service

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav came from a family deeply rooted in military service.

His great-grandfather served in the Bengal Engineers under British rule, his grandfather, Raghubir Singh, was in the paramilitary forces, and his father, Sushil Kumar, also served in the Indian Air Force before moving to LIC. With Siddharth joining the Air Force, he became the fourth generation in his family to serve the nation, ANI reported.

More from Explainers
Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Jamnagar, 1 pilot rescued, search for the other underway Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Jamnagar, 1 pilot rescued, search for the other underway Hotter days ahead: IMD warns Delhi, neighbouring states of severe heatwave Hotter days ahead: IMD warns Delhi, neighbouring states of severe heatwave

After clearing the NDA exam in 2016, Siddharth underwent three years of intense training at Pune’s National Defence Academy before earning his wings as a fighter pilot. After two years of service, he was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Siddharth underwent three years of intense training at Pune’s National Defence Academy before becoming a fighter pilot. His family had a deeply rooted history in military service. Image courtesy: X/@abhishekyadav97

“He was a brilliant student. We had always been proud of him… My father and grandfather were in the army. I was also in the Air Force. I am very proud of him; he lost his life while saving a life… But it is also a matter of grief as he was my only son,” his father said.

Siddharth is survived by his father, mother Sushila Devi, and younger sister Khushi.

Also read: IAF chief says India needs to produce 30-40 fighter aircraft to replace ageing fleet. Why he sounded an alarm bell

Editor’s Picks
1
Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla likely to fly to space station next month, says Nasa
Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla likely to fly to space station next month, says Nasa

Siddharth got engaged days before the crash

Yadav’s father revealed that just ten days before the crash, on March 23, Siddharth had gotten engaged to his fiancée from Delhi. His family, who hails from Bhalkhi-Majra village in Rewari, was in the middle of wedding preparations, looking forward to his marriage on November 2.

He had recently returned to duty on March 31 after spending time with his family in Rewari. They received the devastating news from the commanding air officer around 11 pm. The officer informed him that one pilot had been rescued, but Siddharth had lost his life in the crash.

#WATCH | Rewri, Haryana | Air Force pilot Siddharth Yadav lost his life in a Jaguar fighter aircraft crash late last night in Jamnagar.

His father Sushil Yadav says, "The commanding air officer called last night at around 11 am and informed us about the incident that an aircraft… pic.twitter.com/UXxfHHn0IK

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Despite the immense grief, his father takes solace in his son’s bravery. “Siddharth sacrificed his life to save the lives of others. We are proud of him,” he said.

The IAF, in a statement, “deeply regretted the loss of life” and said “it stands firmly with the bereaved family”. It also ordered a Court of Inquiry to verify the cause of the accident.

How Siddharth’s heroic decision in the final moments saved lives

According to a statement from the IAF, the two-seater Jaguar fighter jet took off from Jamnagar Airfield on Wednesday night for a routine night training mission.

The pilots noticed a “technical malfunction” when flying mid-air. Despite their best efforts to stabilise the aircraft and attempt a safe landing, it became evident that a crash was unavoidable.

Jaguar fighter jet took off from Jamnagar Airfield on Wednesday night for a routine night training mission.Shortly after takeoff, the pilots noticed a
The Jaguar fighter jet took off from Jamnagar Airfield on Wednesday night for a routine night training mission. Shortly after takeoff, the pilots noticed a ’technical malfunction’ mid-air. Soon, it became evident that a crash was unavoidable. PTI

In his final moments, Siddharth ejected his fellow pilot, Manoj Kumar Singh, from the aircraft to save his life and steered the plane away from a densely populated area, ultimately guiding it into an open field near Suvarda village, about 12 km from Jamnagar city.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Tragically, the young pilot lost his life in the crash, but his heroic actions saved many. His co-pilot, Manoj Kumar Singh, survived with a fractured leg and is currently undergoing treatment, Dr Deepak Tiwari, Superintendent of Guru Gobind Singh Government Hospital, confirmed.

Siddharth’s body is expected to reach Rewari on Friday morning, His last rites will be performed in his ancestral village, Bhalaki-Majra, with full military honours.

With input from agencies

Tags
Gujarat India Indian Army
End of Article
Latest News
Find us on YouTube
Subscribe
End of Article

Impact Shorts

Ghaziabad woman dead, pilgrims attacked in bus… How Nepal’s Gen-Z protests turned into a living hell for Indian tourists

Ghaziabad woman dead, pilgrims attacked in bus… How Nepal’s Gen-Z protests turned into a living hell for Indian tourists

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned following violent protests in Nepal. An Indian woman from Ghaziabad died trying to escape a hotel fire set by protesters. Indian tourists faced attacks and disruptions, with some stranded at the Nepal-China border during the unrest.

More Impact Shorts

Top Stories

Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?

Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?

As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland

As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland

Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar

Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar

Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe

Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe

Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?

Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?

As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland

As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland

Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar

Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar

Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe

Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe

Top Shows

Vantage Firstpost America Firstpost Africa First Sports
Latest News About Firstpost
Most Searched Categories
  • Web Stories
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • IPL 2025
NETWORK18 SITES
  • News18
  • Money Control
  • CNBC TV18
  • Forbes India
  • Advertise with us
  • Sitemap
Firstpost Logo

is on YouTube

Subscribe Now

Copyright @ 2024. Firstpost - All Rights Reserved

About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms Of Use
Home Video Shorts Live TV