ZCZC
BFF-42
INDIA-JET-CRASH
Indian fighter jet crashes
NEW DELHI, June 5, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – A fighter jet of the Indian Air
Force crashed in western state of Gujarat Tuesday, killing the pilot, defense
sources said.
“The Jaguar aircraft crashed on a field near a village in Mundra of
Gujarat’s Kutch region while on a routine sortie, minutes after taking off
from Jamnagar air base,” sources said.
The pilot, identified as Sanjay Chauhan, died in the crash. “His body has
been recovered,” sources said.
Local TV channels showed footage of debris scattered over a wide area.
Media reported that a cattle grazing on the field also died in the mishap.
“A court of inquiry has been ordered,” sources said.
There have been a number of crashes involving Indian Air Force assets this
year.
In April, an M17 helicopter crashed in the hilly state of Uttarakhand, but
all six people on board survived. In March, a plane crashed in eastern state
of Odisha, injuring the pilot.
In February this year, an air force helicopter crashed in northeastern
state of Assam’s Majuli island, killing two pilots.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1318 hrs