IAF Jaguar Crash: One Pilot Killed, Another Injured During Night Mission in Jamnagar

A tragic Indian Air Force (IAF) accident claimed the life of one pilot and left another severely injured after a Jaguar two-seater fighter jet crashed during a night mission in Gujarat’s Jamnagar on Wednesday.

According to officials, the aircraft took off from the Jamnagar airbase for a routine training sortie but suffered a technical malfunction mid-air. One of the pilots managed to eject safely, while the other went missing following the crash. Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu told PTI that the rescued pilot was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The aircraft crashed in an open field in Suvarda village, approximately 12 km from Jamnagar city, and caught fire on impact. Fortunately, no civilian casualties or damage to property were reported.

IAF Confirms Technical Malfunction

In a statement posted on X, the Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilots faced a technical issue and attempted ejection to prevent harm to the airfield and surrounding areas.

“Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family,” the statement read.

Following standard protocol, the IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash and assess any potential operational or technical failures.

Recent Jaguar Crash Raises Concerns

This incident marks the second Jaguar fighter jet crash in recent weeks. On March 7, another IAF Jaguar crashed near Ambala, Haryana, after encountering a system malfunction during a routine evening sortie. The pilot in that case managed to eject safely before impact. A separate Court of Inquiry was initiated to determine the cause of that crash.

The Jaguar aircraft, originally introduced into the IAF in the late 1970s, has been a crucial part of Indhinduia’s air fleet. However, recent accidents have raised concerns about the aging fleet’s operational safety.

With the latest tragedy, defense experts stress the need for a thorough assessment of existing aircraft and ongoing modernization efforts to ensure flight safety for IAF pilots.