A Sukhoi-30 and a Mirage-2000 — two fighter planes of the Indian Air Force (IAF), crashed in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, the IAF confirmed.
"Two fighter aircraft of IAF 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," the IAF tweeted.`
"The IAF deeply regrets to inform that Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi suffered fatal injuries during the accident. All air warriors and the fraternity stand strongly with the bereaved family," IAF added.
SP Morena said that the two jets took off from Gwalior and added that while one aircraft had two pilots, the other housed one.
"2 safely rescued, body parts of 3rd found," he told news agency ANI.
Morena District Collector Ankit Asthana said debris of both aircraft fell in the Pahargarh area of the district, reported news agency PTI.
He further added that some debris also fell in the Bharatpur area in Rajasthan, which borders Madhya Pradesh.
Bharatpur Superintendent of Police Shyam Singh also confirmed that an aircraft crashed in an open field in the Ucchain area.
According to reports, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was brief by the Chief of Air Staff and is monitoring the situation closely.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave his condolences to the family of the deceased pilot.
"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," he tweeted.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in a tweet,
"The news of the crash of Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft of the Air Force near Kolaras in Morena is very sad. I have instructed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. I pray to God that the pilots of the planes are safe."
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