MiG-21 crash in Rajasthan  |  Photo Credit: Times Now
Jaisalmer: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed today evening near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The pilot, an officer of Wing Commander rank, was killed in the tragic crash. “With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart,” the Indian Air Force said in a tweet.
Earlier, the IAF said that the MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF met with an accident at around 8.30 pm. The aircraft was on a training sortie when the mishap took place, “An inquiry is being ordered,” the IAF said in a statement.
According to initial reports, the MiG-21 crash took place near the Ganga village in the Desert National Park (DNP) area in Jaisalmer. “The plane crashed in the Desert National Park area under the Sam police station,” Jaisalmer SP Ajay Singh told news agency PTI.
The fire brigade reached the spot shortly after the incident. The police team as well as local administration was engaged in locating the pilot of the ill-fated MiG-21 crash.
Pilot killed in MiG-21 crash in May
In May, a MiG-21 fighter jet of the IAF crashed in Moga, Punjab. In that crash, the pilot, Squadron Leader Abhinav Choudhary lost his life.
“There was an aircraft accident last night involving a Bison aircraft of the IAF in the western sector. The pilot, Sqn Ldr Abhinav Choudhary, sustained fatal injuries. IAF condoles the tragic loss and stands firmly with the bereaved family,” the IAF had said after that crash.