Churu, July 9 (V7N) — Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed when a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed during a training mission in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday afternoon, according to The Indian Express.

The deceased have been identified as Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sidhu and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh.

In an official statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the crash, stating: “The aircraft crashed during a training sortie. Both pilots lost their lives. There was no damage to civilian property. A court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.”

Churu’s Superintendent of Police, Jay Yadav, reported that the aircraft was flying at a very low altitude before the crash. Local eyewitnesses also said the aircraft appeared unusually close to the ground moments before impact.

Aviation experts noted that flying at low altitudes carries high risks, including the danger of colliding with birds, mobile towers, or other unmarked obstacles like windmills.

This marks the third Jaguar-related crash since March this year. On March 7, a Jaguar went down shortly after takeoff from the Ambala airbase in Haryana, though the pilot ejected safely. Another crash occurred on April 2 in Jamnagar, Gujarat, resulting in the death of one pilot and serious injury to another.

The Jaguar fighter jet was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1979 and currently remains in operation with six squadrons. Although a modernization plan, including an engine upgrade, was proposed in 2010, it was scrapped due to prohibitive costs. The aircraft continues to be powered by the aging Adour Mk 811 engine.

END/RH/AJ