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2 IAF fighter jets crash near Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior, 1 pilot dead


Mangalore Today News Network

Bhopal, Jan 28, 2023: An Indian Air Force pilot was killed after two fighter jets -- a Sukhoi Su-30 and a Mirage 2000 -- crashed near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. While the two pilots on the Su-30 sustained minor injuries, the pilot on the Mirage died after being fatally wounded in the crash.


MP


Wreckage of the crashed aircraft was found in Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Morena in Madhya Pradesh.

Confirming the developments, Morena SP said that one aircraft had two pilots and they were rescued safely and the body parts of the third pilot were found.

"Two jets -Mirage & Sukhoi- took off from Gwalior in the morning. As per IAF, one aircraft had 2 pilots, while the other had one; 2 safely rescued, the body parts of the 3rd were found. Some parts of the jet were found in Bharatpur (Raj), and details are being collected," Morena SP said.



"Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning . The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission. One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident," the IAF said.

"A Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 aircraft have crashed near Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Search and rescue operations have been launched," defence sources said.

Videos from the scene, shot by locals in Morena, showed debris of the aircraft on the ground. Both the fighter jets had taken off from the Gwalior Air Force base.

The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to examine if a mid-air collision led to the crash.

"The two aircraft took off from the Gwalior air base in MP where an exercise was going on," sources added.

Morena Collector said that the crash happened at 5.30 am. Pilots ejected safely from SU-30 and they sustained minor injuries, he said.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Adarsh Katiyar told PTI that the cause of the crash is not clear yet. "It is not clear whether the planes collided against each other or not," he said.

Two pilots ejected safely, but the third one is missing, he said.

The Su-30 had two pilots while Mirage 2000 had one pilot during the crash. Initial reports suggest both pilots are safe while an IAF chopper will reach the location of the third pilot soon, defence sources said.

"The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to establish whether there was a mid-air collision or not. The Su-30 had 2 pilots while Mirage 2000 had one pilot during the crash. Initial reports suggest 2 pilots are safe while an IAF chopper reaching the location of the 3rd pilot soon," defence sources said.

DEFENCE MINISTER BRIEFED

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation and spoke to IAF chief VR Chaudhari and is continuously monitoring the situation.

"Rajnath Singh was briefed by the Chief of Air Staff on the crash of two aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The defence minister enquired about the well-being of the IAF pilots and is monitoring the developments closely," defence sources told.

"The possible mid-air collision between the two aircraft took place when they were flying a simulated combat mission at very high speeds. More details would come out in the court of inquiry," they added.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed grief over the crash and issued instructions for quick rescue operations.

"The news of crash of Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft of the Air Force near Kolaras in Morena is very sad. I have instructed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. I pray to God that the pilots of the planes are safe," he tweeted.

Ankit Asthana, Morena DC, said, "Pilots have been traced and cops and local administration are at the spot for rescue operations. Pilots have received injuries and they are safe."


Courtesy: India Today