Just two days after an Air Commodore died in a crash involving the SEPECAT Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), another Jaguar crashed in Jamnagar, Gujarat, it is learnt.
According to ANI, the aircraft crashed at 9.20 am while on a training mission from the Jamnagar Air Force Station. The fighter reportedly developed a technical problem during landing resulting in the crash.
The pilot of the aircraft safely ejected before the crash. A Court of Inquiry has been established by the IAF to investigate the crash.
This is the second time in four days that a fighter jet of the IAF met with an accident. On 5 June, Air Commodore Sanjai Chauhan was killed when his Jaguar crashed in Jamnagar while on a routine mission.
Read More: Air Commodore dead in IAF Jaguar crash
The debris of the fighter aircraft was strewn far and wide throughout the Bareja village, where the aircraft crashed.
Air Commodore Chauhan was the Air Officer Commanding of Jamnagar Air Force Station. It was reported that the decorated pilot did not eject from the Jaguar to prevent the fighter from crashing into a village.
Prominent names from the world of politics paid rich tributes to the 50-year-old pilot. Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who is a retired Colonel of the Indian Army, expressed his grief at the passing of Air Cmde Chauhan while recalling their training days at the National Defence Academy.
Saddened with the loss of Air Cmde Sanjay Chauhan in a Jaguar air crash today. Fondly remember him from our training days at National Defence Academy. Heartfelt condolences to the family. RIP brave soul.
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 5, 2018
MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar posted pictures of him posing with Air Cmde Chauhan at Jamnagar Air Force station during the ceremonial reception of IAF’s vintage Dakota.
AirCmde Sanjai Chauhan who died tdy in #Jaguar crash was AOC Jamnagar n a distingshd Test Pilot.
Met him whn #VP905 #Parashurama touched dwn 1st time in India at Jamngr.Thts him in Orange overalls wth my fathr.#RIP #AirWarrior. My condolences to his family n @IAF_MCC 🙏🏻😢 pic.twitter.com/qyu6fJOZ6u
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) June 5, 2018
The Jaguar is one of the oldest fighter jets in IAF’s fleet. Primarily used for ground attack role, the Jaguars in the IAF are being upgraded to meet modern-day requirements.