Jaisalmer: A MiG 21 aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer during training sortie, killing its pilot on Friday evening.
Jaisalmer SP Ajay Singh confirmed the news on Twitter, “We got information today evening that a MiG 21 aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in Sam in the area under the Desert National Park (DNP). The aircraft had taken off from the Jaisalmer Air Base.”
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The SP further added that a forest guard had spotted the mangled remains of the MiG-21 aircraft after which the local police was informed.
The Indian Air Force on its official Twitter handle confirmed the news of the pilot’s death, “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.”
The local police along with an Air Force team reached the crash site after receiving information from the forest guard.
The IAF tweeted from its official Twitter handle, “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.”
A witness who reported to the local police said that he saw the MiG aircraft burst into flames. He claimed the plane caught fire before hitting the ground.
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Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed grief on the demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha, who was piloting the aircraft. “Saddened to know Wing Commander Harshit Singa lost his life, when a MiG 21 aircraft met with a flying accident in the western sector during a training sortie. My heartfelt condolences to his family members. We share their grief and pray they find strength,” CM Gehlot said.
