New Delhi, July 9 (H.S.): This year, a total of five Indian Air Force aircraft have crashed, with three Jaguar jets involved in incidents over just four months. The recent crash in Churu, Rajasthan, is concerning given the aging Jaguar fleet's operational safety. The Jaguar involved was a Der-III upgraded variant. Earlier, a Mirage-2000 crashed on February 6 near Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, during a routine flight. Fortunately, both pilots ejected safely.

On March 7, two other incidents occurred one Jaguar crashed in Haryana due to a technical malfunction shortly after taking off from Ambala Air Base, while an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during an emergency landing in Bagdogra, West Bengal, with no injuries among the crew. The AN-32, a Russian-built aircraft, has been in service since the early 1980s.

On April 2, a two-seater Jaguar crashed in Jamnagar, Gujarat, resulting in one pilot’s death and the other sustaining injuries during a night mission due to technical difficulties. Investigations were ordered following this accident. The latest incident today involved a trainer Jaguar crashing during a training mission in Churu, resulting in serious injuries to both pilots but no civilian property damage.

A court of inquiry has been initiated to investigate this incident as well. The Indian Air Force operates six squadrons of the Jaguar Deep Penetration Strike Fighter, primarily employed for ground attack and tactical strikes. The series of crashes this year has heightened scrutiny and raised questions about the fleet's reliability and the need for further safety measures.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar