IAF pilot killed in Jaguar jet crash in Gujarat’s Jamnagar

A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Gujarat’s Jamnagar during a night training mission on Wednesday, resulting in the death of one pilot while the other sustained injuries. The aircraft was on a routine training sortie when it encountered a technical malfunction, forcing the pilots to initiate an emergency ejection.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the crash in a statement, saying, "The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to the airfield and local population." While one pilot managed to eject safely, the other was missing after the crash. Later, the IAF confirmed the pilot's death and expressed its condolences to the bereaved family.

The incident occurred near Suvarda village, about 12 km from Jamnagar city. Eyewitness videos from the scene showed flames engulfing parts of the field, while the wreckage of the cockpit and tail section lay scattered across different areas. Firefighters and emergency teams rushed to the site to contain the flames and assess the damage.

The IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the exact cause of the crash. While preliminary reports indicate technical failure, experts will investigate whether any other factors contributed to the accident. The IAF assured that safety measures were in place, and that the pilots’ actions prevented further damage to civilian areas.