Sukhoi (File photo)
Morena: On Saturday, Indian Air Force’s two frontline aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI and Mirage 2000 crashed near Morena in Madhya Pradesh.
Local administration and Police have reached the spot and began search and rescue operations.
These two aircraft had taken off from the Gwalior air base where an exercise was going on.
As per the reports, there were two pilots onboard the Sukhoi-30 and one onboard the Mirage 2000 aircraft. The Sukhoi's pilots ejected safely while the pilot of the Mirage 2000 was killed. He has been identified as Wing Commander Hanumanth Rao Sarathi.
The IAF has initiated a court of enquiry to establish whether there was a mid-air collision.
However, the sources in the defence establishment said that there was a mid-air collision and the Mirage 2000 crashed immediately after.
According to sources, the two Sukhoi pilots managed to keep the jet in the air despite one of the two engines catches fire. However, they could not regain full control for a safe landing and ejected safely. The debris is found in Rajasthan's Bharatpur.
Indian Air Force statement
Two fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning.
The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission.
One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries.
An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
As per the reports, IAF chief ACM VR Chaudhari has briefed the defence minister, Rajnath Singh about the crash, involving two fighter aircraft --- Sukhoi-30MKI and Mirage 2000. Singh enquired about the well-being of the IAF pilots and is monitoring the developments closely.
Deeply anguished by the loss of brave air warrior, Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi, who suffered fatal injuries during an accident near Gwalior. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family. We stand by his family in this difficult hour. https://t.co/xwEelZouNi
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 28, 2023
(This article has been updated with latest developments)
