An Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter aircraft crashed near Moga in Punjab in the wee hours of Friday, officials said. The pilot died in the accident and Police officials said the mishap occured at around 9:30pm and it took them three hours to spot the pilot’s body.
The jet flown by Squadron Leader Abhinav Choudhary was on a routine training sortie and was returning to Suratgarh when the mishap occurred, officials familiar with the matter said.
The incident took place around 1 am on Friday when the Mig-21 of the IAF crashed at Langiana Khurd village of Baghapurana in Moga. The aircraft was on a routine training sortie when the accident took place.
“There was an aircraft accident last night involving a Bison aircraft of IAF in the western sector. The pilot, Sqn Ldr Abhinav Choudhary, sustained fatal injuries. IAF condoles the tragic loss and stands firmly with the bereaved family, Indian Air Force tweeted.
According to the information received during the training, Pilot, Squadron Leader Abhinav Choudhary, flew from MiG-21 Fighter Aircraft to Suratgarh in Rajasthan) to Halwara and Halwara to Suratgarh. Meanwhile, the fighter jet crashed near Baghapurana on the way.
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident involving a Bison aircraft of IAF in western sector, Indian Air Force added.
