On Thursday evening two Indian Air Force pilots died when an Indian Air Force MiG-21 jet crashed during a training sortie in Rajasthan’s Barmer.
Wing Commander M Rana and Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal are the two pilots who lost their lives in the incident.
In a statement released by the Indian Air Foce (IAF) confirmed the news and said “Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families”.
“IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families,” the statement added. “A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident,” it said.
Wing Commander M Rana and Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal are the two pilots who lost their lives in MiG-21 fighter aircraft crash in Barmer, Rajasthan last evening. pic.twitter.com/khvm0QKRR9
— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2022
“Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s MiG-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan. Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, following the fatal accident. The minister also spoke to Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari following the crash.
Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan. Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness. https://t.co/avKi9YoMdo
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) July 28, 2022
Families and locals are in grief with the loss of the lives of the Indian pilots.
RS Pura, J&K | Family & locals grieve the loss of Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal, one of the two pilots who lost their lives in the MiG-21 fighter aircraft crash in Barmer, Rajasthan last evening pic.twitter.com/8TRtPdH70P
— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2022