IAF's MiG-21 fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan's Barmer, both pilots dead

New Delhi: An Indian Air Force MiG-21 trainer fighter aircraft crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer on Thursday night. Both pilots on board were killed, the IAF said.

The fighter aircraft met with an accident at 9:10 pm during a training sortie, it added.

The air force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. The IAF added that it deeply regretted the loss of lives and stood firmly with the bereaved families.

Videos shared on social media showed the plane up in flames.

‘Deeply anguished’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was “deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors”.

Earlier, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari briefed Singh on the incident in detail, ANI reported. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident.

The Soviet-era MiG-21s were first inducted into the IAF in the 1960s. India is the world’s largest operator of the aircraft. However, the MiG-21s have been plagued by safety issues.

With inputs from agencies

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