Two Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets--Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000—has reportedly crashed near Morena in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. Search and rescue operations begun in the crash site.
"As per information received from Air Force, a Mirage 2000 and a Sukhoi 30 crashed near Manpur village of Pahargarh block. There were three pilots, two were injured but safe and were airlifted. While the search for the other pilot is on. It appears that both aircrafts crashed in the same place, but confirmation awaited from Air Force," Ankit Asthana, district collector, Morena told THE WEEK.
According to sources, the aircrafts collided midair before the crash.
#WATCH | Wreckage seen. A Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed near Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Search and rescue operations launched. The two aircraft had taken off from the Gwalior air base where an exercise was going on. pic.twitter.com/xqCJ2autOe
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2023
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and president of MP Congress Committee and ex-chief minister Kamal Nath in their tweets expressed grief over the jets crash.
मुरैना के कैलारस के पास वायुसेना के सुखोई-30 और मिराज-2000 विमानों के दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने की खबर अत्यंत दुखद है। मैंने स्थानीय प्रशासन को त्वरित बचाव एवं राहत कार्य में वायुसेना के सहयोग के निर्देश दिए हैं। विमानों के पायलट के सुरक्षित होने की ईश्वर से कामना करता हूं।
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) January 28, 2023
According to Defence Ministry sources, “Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was briefed by the Chief of Air Staff on the crash of two aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Raksha Mantri enquired about the well-being of the IAF pilots and is monitoring the developments closely.”
Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 28, 2023
One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
The two aircraft had taken off from the Gwalior air base in Madhya Pradesh where an exercise was going on, as per defence sources.
(More details awaited)