Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed after a twin-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed during a routine training mission near Bhanoda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday afternoon, raising concerns about IAF's continuous crashes. 

 

“An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported,” an Indian media outlet has reported, citing the statement issued by the IAF.

 

“IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” the statement said, adding that a court of inquiry has been established to ascertain the cause of the accident.

 

The aircraft crashed in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village around 1.25 pm, Station House Officer (SHO) Rajaldesar Kamlessh told Press Trust of India (PTI).

 

The Jaguar is a twin-engine fighter-bomber in single-and twin-seat variants. It is widely used by the IAF despite its vintage status. India has an estimated 120 Jaguar fighter jets spread across six squadrons in operation.

 

This is the third IAF Jaguar fighter jet to crash this year, An aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Jamnagar Airfield during a night mission in April. 

 

The IAF reported that the pilots experienced a technical malfunction mid-flight and ejected to prevent damage to the airfield and surrounding populated areas.

 

One of the pilots, Siddharth Yadav, succumbed to injuries sustained during the ejection, while the other pilot sustained injuries in the incident.

 

In March 2025, an IAF fighter jet crashed in the Panchkula district of Haryana during a routine training sortie.

 

Citing the IAF, Indian media outlets stated that the pilot experienced a system malfunction and successfully steered the aircraft away from populated areas before ejecting safely.