MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, pilot dead

The Pilot of the aircraft, Wing Commander Harshit Sinha lost his life on the spot. The eyewitness claims the plane caught fire before it hit the ground.

New Delhi: MiG-21 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Jaisalmer on Friday (December 24). The Pilot of the aircraft, Wing Commander Harshit Sinha lost his life on the spot.

Confirming the news of the incident IAF on Twitter wrote: "With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart"

With deep sorrow, IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 24, 2021

Earlier in another tweet, the IAF stated, "This evening, around 8:30 pm, a MiG-21 aircraft of IAF met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. Further details are awaited. An inquiry is being ordered."

The plane crashed in the Desert National Park area under the Sam police station, Jaisalmer SP Ajay Singh told PTI.
The SP said local police reached the spot. Sam police station SHO Dalpat Singh said the plane crashed in sand dunes near Sudasari.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness, who lives in a hamlet near the Desert National Park, said he saw the plane burst into flames. He claimed the plane caught fire before hitting the ground.

Jaisalmer collector Ashish Modi and Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh reached the spot.