Fighter jet crash in Jamnagar: IAF orders Court of Inquiry
An Indian Air Force pilot tragically lost his life while a second pilot sustained severe injuries after a two-seater Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed during a night sortie in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Wednesday.
According to superintendent of police Premsukh Delu, as reported by PTI, one pilot successfully ejected and was quickly rescued, whereas the other went missing immediately after the incident. The rescued pilot was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.
The fighter jet crashed in an open field in Suvarda village, located approximately 12 km from Jamnagar, and the wreckage caught fire. The Indian Air Force later explained on X that a technical malfunction forced the pilots to eject in order to safeguard the airfield and local residents.
An IAF Jaguar two seater aircraft airborne from Jamnagar Airfield crashed during a night mission. The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to airfield and local population. Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 3, 2025
“Regrettably, one pilot succumbed to his injuries while the other is currently undergoing medical treatment at a Jamnagar hospital. The IAF profoundly mourns this loss and extends its deepest condolences to the family,” the statement read.
A Court of Inquiry has been initiated by the defence forces to determine the cause of the accident.
This incident follows a similar tragedy on March 7, when another IAF Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Ambala in Haryana. In that instance, the pilot ejected safely after the aircraft encountered a system malfunction during a routine evening sortie from Ambala Air Force Base, prompting a separate Court of Inquiry to investigate the mishap.