An Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed around 1:25 p.m. on Wednesday near Bhanoda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district. The incident occurred in an agricultural field in Ratangarh Tehsil. According to Rajaldesar Police Station SHO Kamlesh, human body parts were discovered near the crash site, indicating the pilots may not have survived.
The aircraft’s debris was scattered across the farmland, and emergency teams rushed to the location. Further investigation is ongoing, and officials are yet to confirm the identities of the crew or the circumstances leading to the crash.
Two pilots onboard during the crash
Police authorities confirmed that two pilots were on board the jet at the time of the crash. As search and rescue operations continue, there has been no official update yet on whether either of the pilots managed to eject before impact. The presence of human remains at the site has raised fears of fatalities.
The crash site remains cordoned off as officials from the IAF and local administration conduct recovery and examination of the wreckage. More details will be released following a full inquiry into the incident.
Recent history of Jaguar crashes raises concerns
This incident marks the second crash of a Jaguar fighter aircraft in 2025. In April, a Jaguar jet on a night sortie went down near Suvarda village in Gujarat’s Jamnagar district, killing one of the two pilots. That jet was also on a routine training mission when it crashed in an open field roughly 12 kilometres from Jamnagar city.
🚨 IAF Jet Crashes In Rajasthan's Churu
— Snehal 🕊️ (@Snehalsays_03) July 9, 2025
Hoping for the safety of Pilot 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/fFRydf5HiU
Prior to that, in March, two separate IAF aircraft incidents occurred on the same day. A Jaguar crashed shortly after takeoff from Ambala airbase in Haryana due to a technical snag. The crew ejected safely. On the same day, an AN-32 transport aircraft crash-landed in West Bengal’s Bagdogra. The cause of that crash-landing remains unconfirmed.
Jaguar aircraft, often used for training and ground attack roles, have faced several incidents in recent years. The IAF has not yet commented on whether a technical failure was involved in the latest crash.
As investigations continue, the Churu crash adds to a growing list of IAF incidents raising concerns over operational safety protocols.
For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
