Two IAF Pilots Killed in Jaguar Jet Crash in Rajasthan
Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots lost their lives on Wednesday when a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed near Churu, Rajasthan. The pilots have been identified as:
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Squadron Leader Lokender Singh Sindhu, 32, from Rohtak, Haryana
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Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh from Pali, Rajasthan
The aircraft was on a routine training mission when the crash occurred. This marks the third Jaguar crash since March, raising safety concerns around the aging fleet.
In an official statement, the Indian Air Force said:
“Both pilots suffered fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported.”
Eyewitness Account
According to eyewitness Rajdeep, a plume of smoke was seen immediately after the crash. He also commended the pilots for steering the aircraft away from residential areas.
“Parts of the pilot’s body were scattered. One IAF diary was discovered, and we handed it over to the SHO. I can confidently say the pilot tried his best to save the village,” he told ANI.
However, he did not specify which pilot the diary belonged to.
IAF Orders Inquiry
The IAF has launched a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.
This crash is the third involving a Jaguar aircraft in just over four months:
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April 2, 2025: A pilot was killed after a Jaguar crashed near the Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat.
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March 7, 2025: Another Jaguar crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ambala airbase, reportedly due to a system failure.
About the Jaguar Aircraft
The Jaguar is a British-French twin-engine combat aircraft inducted by the IAF in the 1970s. It has been a critical part of India’s ground attack and reconnaissance missions for decades. However, its increasing accident rate has led to growing concerns over its continued use.
