New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday (July 9), resulting in the death of the two pilots who were on board.

“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. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” the IAF posted from its official handle on X.

The post added that a court of inquiry has been constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Officials said that the incident took place in the Ratangarh Tehsil of Churu district.

According to Churu SP Jai Yadav, at around 12.30 pm on Wednesday afternoon the jet crashed near Bhavana Badavane village, reported The Indian Express.

The newspaper reported that this is the third incident of crash this year involving a Jaguar aircraft.

In April, a two-seater Jaguar fighter aircraft of the IAF had crashed in an open field in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, killing one of the pilots.

Earlier in March, a Jaguar fighter jet had crashed shortly after taking off from the Ambala air base in Haryana, reported Indian Express. However, the crew managed to escape unscathed.

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