Pilot Killed in Tragic IAF Jaguar Crash in Rajasthan’s Churu
An Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Churu, Rajasthan, claiming the pilot’s life, marking the third such incident in 2025.
A devastating crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet near Bhanoda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district at 1:25 pm on Wednesday claimed the life of the pilot. The twin-seater aircraft, which took off from Suratgarh Air Force base, went down during a routine training sortie, sparking panic among locals who reported a loud explosion and flames in an agricultural field.
Defence sources confirmed the incident to ANI, noting that the aircraft was a twin-seater, but the condition of the second pilot remains unconfirmed. Reports suggest two others, possibly civilians, were injured, though details are pending. Helicopters and rescue teams were dispatched to the crash site, where wreckage was found scattered and burning.
This marks the third Jaguar crash in 2025. On March 7, a Jaguar from Ambala, Punjab, crashed after a system malfunction, but the pilot ejected safely, avoiding civilian areas. On April 2, a twin-seater Jaguar crashed near Jamnagar, Gujarat, killing pilot Siddharth Yadav, who heroically ensured his co-pilot’s safe ejection. Yadav’s father expressed pride in his son’s sacrifice, noting the personal loss of his only son.
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The IAF operates around 120 Jaguars across six squadrons. Despite their vintage status, these twin-engine fighter-bombers have been upgraded extensively. The recent spate of crashes, with over 30 Jaguars lost in the past decade, has raised concerns about the aging fleet, which the IAF plans to phase out by 2031 in favor of modern aircraft like the HAL Tejas Mk1A.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the Churu crash, as the IAF and local authorities work to address this tragic loss.
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