Pilot injured as IAF fighter jet crashes in Haryana

Chandigarh, March 5; An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet crashed on Thursday near the Kurukshetra-Ambala district border in Haryana, police said. The pilot of the Jaguar fighter was injured as he ejected the plane.

The injured pilot was taken to hospital by IAF personnel, who rushed to the spot in a helicopter from Ambala.

The Jaguar fighter jet crashed in an agricultural field near Shahbad town, about 70 km from Chandigarh. The aircraft, on a routine training sortie, was returning to the Ambala Air Force base from where it had taken off when it crashed.

There was no casualty on the ground as the fighter jet crashed in agricultural fields.

The pilot, IAF sources said, sent an SOS message before ejecting.

IAF sources said that the pilot encountered a technical snag in the aircraft due to which he was forced to eject.

The aircraft had taken off from the Ambala Air Force base, 45 km from Chandigarh.

The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

IANS