- Two Indian Air Force pilots died in a Jaguar crash during a training sortie near Bhanuda village.
- This is the third Jaguar crash in five months and the fifth IAF aircraft accident in 2025.
- The aircraft caught fire upon impact, prompting panic among local villagers.
- IAF confirmed the crash and ordered a court of inquiry to investigate the cause.
- No civilian casualties or damage to property were reported.
Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots lost their lives on Wednesday after a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district, officials confirmed. The incident occurred around 1:25 p.m. during what the IAF described as a routine training mission.
According to India Today, the crash site was located in an agricultural field where wreckage and human remains were discovered. Local police and eyewitnesses said the crash caused a fire, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering panic in nearby villages.
Rescue Operation and Local Response
Rajaldesar police official Kamlessh told PTI that body parts were found scattered at the scene. Villagers rushed to the site after hearing a loud explosion followed by fire in the fields. Some residents tried to douse the flames before emergency personnel arrived.
District Collector Abhishek Surana and other officials quickly reached the scene, with an Army rescue unit expected to assist in securing the crash site. A court of inquiry has been launched by the IAF to determine the cause of the accident.
Recurring Jaguar Crashes Raise Safety Concerns
This marks the third crash involving the Jaguar aircraft in just five months. On March 7, a Jaguar crashed in Ambala shortly after takeoff due to a technical malfunction; the pilot ejected safely. Less than a month later, on April 2, a Jaguar twin-seater trainer went down near Jamnagar, Gujarat. That crash resulted in one pilot’s death while the other survived.
IAF Accidents in 2025
So far, the Indian Air Force has reported five aircraft crashes this year:
- February 6: Mirage 2000 crashed near Shivpuri, both pilots ejected safely.
- March 7: Jaguar crash in Ambala (pilot safe) and AN-32 cargo mishap at Bagdogra (no injuries).
- April 2: Jaguar crash in Jamnagar (one fatality).
- July 9: Churu Jaguar crash (two fatalities).
These incidents have renewed scrutiny over the aging Jaguar fleet and IAF’s broader safety protocols. The IAF expressed condolences, saying it “deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families.”
(With inputs from India Today, PTI, and official IAF sources)
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