In a tragic incident during a routine training mission, two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots lost their lives after a Jaguar fighter trainer aircraft crashed near Bhanoda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district. The pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sindhu, 31, from Rohtak in Haryana, and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh, 23, from Pali in Rajasthan.
The crash occurred on Wednesday afternoon, and according to the IAF, there was no reported damage to civilian property. The Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
“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,” the IAF said in a statement.
Recurring Crashes Raise Concerns Over Ageing Jaguar Fleet
This marks the third Jaguar fighter jet crash reported this year—following earlier incidents in Panchkula, Haryana (March 7), and Jamnagar, Gujarat (April 2). The repeated crashes have reignited concerns regarding the airworthiness and safety of the ageing Jaguar fleet, which has been in service with the Indian Air Force since 1979.
ALSO READ:IAF Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan’s Churu, 2 bodies recovered
Originally built through a transfer of technology from SEPECAT—a French-British joint venture—the Jaguar fighter bombers in India have undergone multiple upgrades over the decades. Around 120 Jaguars remain in service, spread across six squadrons. However, India is now the sole operator of this aircraft type, as countries like Britain, France, and Nigeria have retired them.
Delays in the induction of replacement aircraft such as the HAL Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and other multi-role fighter aircraft have hindered the IAF’s ability to fully retire the vintage fleet. Previous inquiries into Jaguar crashes have often cited engine failure, underlining the urgent need for modernization.
