IAF’s MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, pilot dead

New Delhi: MiG-21 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Jaisalmer on Friday (December 24). The pilot of the aircraft lost his life on the spot.

It is noteworthy here that the crash has once again turned the spotlight on India’s longest-serving fighter plane, its safety record and the IAF's plans to replace the ageing jets with newer ones in the coming years.

The incident took place in Sudasiri village near the Indo-Pak border in Jaisalmer. According to sources, the pilot died in the accident. His body has been recovered.

Police, fire brigade and the administration has reached the spot and recovered the body of the pilot. The administration has reached the spot. The investigation is underway.

Pilot Wing Commander Harshit Sinha died in the crash, the IAF confirmed. “With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart,” the IAF tweeted.

"This evening, around 8:30 pm, a MiG-21 aircraft of IAF met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. Further details are awaited. An inquiry is being ordered," the IAF earlier said in a statement, soon after the crash. 

With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 24, 2021