Two IAF fighter jets crash after 'mid-air collision' near Madhya Pradesh's Morena; one pilot dead

Bhopal, Jan 28: An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot succumbed to his injuries after two fighter jets namely a Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 and a French-origin Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed following a suspected mid-air collision near Morena in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. Officials said the two pilots of the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft ejected safely while the pilot of the Mirage-2000 lost his life.

"Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning," the IAF said in a statement.

The two jets had taken off from Gwalior in the morning and were part of an exercise. The Sukhoi was being flown by two pilots while the Mirage had one pilot. According to reports, both pilots on Su-30 are safe while an IAF chopper will reach the location of the third pilot soon.

"One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident," the IAF said.

IAF released a statement confirming the tragic accident and said that an inquiry has been initiated to probe the cause of the crash.

Notably, the wreckage of a plane was also found in Rajasthan's Bharatpur rising speculations on the possible involvement of the third aircraft in the accident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari on the crash of two IAF aircraft, they said.

Singh enquired about the well-being of pilots and is monitoring the developments closely, the sources said.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan took to Twitter and wrote, "The news of the Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft crash near Kolaras in Morena is very sad. I have directed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. I pray to God for the safety of the aircraft pilots."

For the unversed, the Sukhoi-30 MKI built by India in collaboration with Russia is considered one of the most powerful fighter jets in the world. Sukhoi 30-MKI is among the deadliest aircraft in the Air Force capable of carrying up to 12 tons of war material. This aircraft has double engines which help the pilot in case of emergency. It can fly 3,000 km at a time.