IAF Jaguar Crash in Rajasthan: Squadron Leader and Flight Lieutenant Killed During Training Mission

The fatal crash occurred near Bhavana Badavane village. Local witnesses reported that the aircraft was flying at a low altitude moments before it went down. The crash site was cordoned off by security forces, and no damage to civilian property was reported.

In a statement confirming the incident, the IAF said, “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. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief. A court of inquiry has been constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

Squadron Leader Lokender hailed from Rohtak in Haryana, while Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh was a native of Pali in Rajasthan. Their untimely demise has left both the IAF fraternity and their hometowns in mourning.

This marks the third Jaguar crash reported this year, following earlier incidents in Panchkula, Haryana (March 7), and near Jamnagar, Gujarat (April 2). The SEPECAT Jaguar, a deep-penetration strike aircraft, was inducted into the IAF in the late 1970s. As of now, the Indian Air Force continues to operate a fleet of 139 Jaguars.