MiG-21 crash: Indian Air Force fighter jet crashes in Barmer, 2 pilot dead: Watch video

MiG-21 Bison crash: An Indian Air Force`s MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in Bhimda village in Baytoo of Barmer District of Rajasthan on July 28 night, killing both the pilots.

A MiG-21 Bison fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in a village in Rajasthan on July 28 night, the collector of the district said. Two pilots flying the MiG-21 fighter jet died in the incident, based on ANI's report. As per the IAF, the incident took place around 9:10 PM on July 28 (Thursday) after the twin-seater MiG-21 trainer aircraft took off from the Utarlai air base in Rajasthan in the evening. "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," the IAF said in a statement.

"It was an IAF plane that crashed near Bhimda village in Baytoo," Barmer District Collector Lok Bandu. An investigation into the accident's cause has been ordered by a court. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh 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," Singh said on Twitter. 

"Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness," he said.

The fighter jet involved in the incident is reportedly a two-seater MiG-21 fighter jet from the 1960s used by the Air Force. The jet made by Mikoyan is one of the very essential jets of the Indian Air Force. Built mainly for air interception with a secondary role of ground attack, the MiG-21 is capable of operating in restricted spaces and hence played an important role in the Kargil War.

MiG-21 launched the first ground attacks, while MiG-29 later joined in with its Laser Guided Bombs. The MiG-21 has been modified throughout time to keep up with later-generation aircraft, and in its present configuration, it aids the IAF as the first strike against any infiltration.

With inputs from agencies