IAF Jaguar Trainer Crashes in Rajasthan, Two Pilots Killed

New Delhi: Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots lost their lives on Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025, when a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed during a training sortie near Churu district in Rajasthan.

The IAF confirmed the fatal incident, stating that the aircraft went down during a routine training exercise. A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash.

“A Jaguar Trainer aircraft of the IAF was involved in an accident today near Churu while on a routine training mission,” the Air Force said in a brief statement. “Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. There has been no damage reported to civilian property.”

The IAF expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending its condolences to the families of the deceased. It emphasized that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine what led to the mishap.

According to local police officials, the crash occurred around 1:25 p.m. The aircraft went down in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village, said Rajaldesar Station House Officer Kamlesh. He added that remains of the pilots were found at the scene.

Villagers rushed to the crash site upon hearing the impact and discovered wreckage engulfed in flames. Emergency responders, including police teams from Rajaldesar and Ratangarh, fire personnel, and ambulances, reached the site promptly and cordoned off the area.

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma both offered condolences to the families. “Distressing news of an IAF aircraft crash in the Ratangarh area of Churu has come in. Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately,” Sharma posted on X, expressing prayers for the departed souls.

This incident marks the third crash involving an IAF Jaguar aircraft in 2025. In March, a Jaguar jet crashed near Ambala in Haryana due to a system fault; the pilot safely ejected after steering the jet away from inhabited areas. In another accident in April near Jamnagar, one pilot died after a Jaguar crashed during a training mission, despite attempts to eject safely following a technical snag.