Fighter Jet Crashes in Rajasthan, Indian Air Force Confirms Aircraft Down

Fighter Jet Crashes in Rajasthan: An Indian Air Force fighter jet crashed on Wednesday afternoon in Rajasthan’s Churu district, authorities said, the third in a series of crashes involving military aircraft.

The crash occurred around 1:25 pm near Banoda village in an agricultural field, said Kamlesh, station house officer of Rajaldesar.

Kamlesh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Rajaldesar, confirmed that human body parts were recovered from the crash site, indicating potential fatalities. “We are coordinating with defence officials and rescue personnel. More details will follow as the investigation progresses,” he said.

This is the third Jaguar crash this year since March. On March 7, an Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack fighter went down near Ambala during a routine sortie. The pilot was able to eject safely but the incident highlighted the risks of flying these ageing aircraft.

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Just a month later, on April 3, another Jaguar jet crashed in Gujarat’s Jamnagar. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, died in the crash that occurred due to a critical technical malfunction in the aircraft. In a remarkable act of bravery before his death, Lieutenant Yadav saved countless lives by steering the crashing aircraft away from a densely populated area. He also ejected his fellow pilot, ensuring his safety before tragically losing his own life.

Though not in Churu district, Suratgarh Air Force Station is one of the nearest airbases to the region. Located in the town of Suratgarh in Rajasthan, it’s a strategically important base of the Indian Air Force and plays a vital role in regional defence operations.

IAF aircraft took off from Suratgarh air base with two pilots onboard before it crashed in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village on Wednesday. Defence sources confirmed that IAF helicopters were sent to the crash site for rescue and recovery operations.

This is the third crash involving a Jaguar aircraft in 2025, raising concerns about the fleet’s operational safety.

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"Human remains were found near the crash site," he added, indicating possible fatalities. However, official confirmation from the IAF regarding casualties is awaited.

There is no confirmation about the nature of the mission - training or operational - the aircraft was on when it crashed.

Jaguar jets were inducted into the IAF in 1979. The twin-engine fighter aircraft forms an important part of India’s nuclear triad but the Indian Air Force is the only operator of these low-flying fighter bombers-- the majority of which were licence-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under a transfer of technology from SEPECAT, a joint venture between France’s Breguet and British Aircraft Corporation.

UK, France, Ecuador, Nigeria and Oman had Jaguars in their fleet but have retired them long back, some are on display in air museums.

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