Indian Air Force's MiG-21 Fighter Plane Crashes in Rajasthan, Pilot Dead

A MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed near Jaisalmer, leading to the death of its pilot Wing Commander, Harshit Sinha.

A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Rajasthan's Jaisalmer on Friday, 24 December, news agency PTI reported citing a police official.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Rajasthan's Jaisalmer on Friday, 24 December.

Wing Commander Harshit Sinha, who had been piloting the fighter jet, lost his life in the incident.

"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 Indian Air Force said in a tweet.

Sinha, was commissioned into the India Air Force on 19 June 2004 and had picked up the rank of a Wing Commander on 19 June 2017.

Wing Commander Harshit Sinha, who had been piloting the fighter jet, lost his life in the incident.

The incident happed around 8:30 pm during a training sortie. In a tweet, the IAF wrote, "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 plane crashed in the Desert National Park area under the Sam police station, Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh told news agency PTI.

The plane crash was first spotted by a forest guard, following which the local police were apprised of it, the SP was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

The development comes merely weeks after a similar IAF chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu, leading to the death of Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and 13 others.

Seven aircraft of the Indian Air Force have crashed in the last two years, the government had informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday, 20 December.

A number of MiG-21 planes, fighter jets often referred to as 'widow-makers' and 'flying coffins,' have crashed this year alone.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Tweets Condolences

Expressing his condolences over the death of Wing Commander Sinha, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said in a tweet:

"Saddened to know Wing Commander Harshit Sinha lost his life, when a MiG-21 aircraft met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. My heartfelt condolences to his family members. We share their grief and pray they find strength."