IAF Jaguar Fighter Jet Crashes in Rajasthan’s Churu, Both Pilots Killed

CHURU ( Rajasthan )- A tragic accident claimed the lives of two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots when a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident, which occurred around 1:25 PM IST during a routine training mission, marks the third Jaguar crash this year, raising concerns about the aging fleet’s safety.

According to defense sources, the twin-seater Jaguar fighter jet, which took off from Suratgarh Air Force Base, went down in an agricultural field in the Ratangarh region.

Also Read- Gambhira Bridge Collapses in Gujarat, Claiming Nine Lives

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft engulfed in flames as it fell from the sky, scattering debris across a 200-foot radius. “I was in my field when I saw a sudden plume of smoke. Parts of the aircraft were scattered, and we found a pilot’s diary, which we handed over to the authorities,” said a local villager.

The IAF confirmed the incident in a statement on X: “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported.” The Air Force expressed deep regret for the loss of lives and has constituted a court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash.

Also Read- Mamata Banerjee Accuses Assam Government of Harassing Bengal Resident with NRC Notice

This is the third Jaguar-related incident in 2025, following crashes in Panchkula, Haryana, on March 7, and near Jamnagar, Gujarat, on April 2, where one pilot was killed. The series of accidents has sparked debate about the aging Jaguar fleet, inducted into the IAF in 1979.

Defense experts have pointed to the aircraft’s outdated Rolls-Royce-Turbomeca Adour Mk811 engines, criticized for inadequate thrust, as a potential factor in its poor safety record. Over 50 minor and major accidents have been reported involving Jaguars in their 40-year service.

Also Read- Three Petitioners Challenge ECI’s Electoral Roll Revision in Bihar at Supreme Court

The IAF plans to phase out older Jaguar models by 2028-2031, but delays in acquiring newer aircraft like the Tejas Mark 1A and Rafale have forced continued reliance on the aging fleet.

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed condolences to the families of the deceased pilots. Sharma Ascertaining the exact cause of the crash remains a priority as the IAF investigates to prevent future tragedies.