A Jaguar fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Churu district in Rajasthan on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The aircraft crashed in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village, which is located in the Rajaldesar area, around 1:25 p.m..
According to reports, the aircraft had taken off from the Suratgarh air base. Following the crash, police teams were dispatched to the site to assess the situation and conduct search and rescue operations. According to initial reports, two people may have been injured in the incident. However, later reports indicate that human remains were discovered near the crash site.
The Station House Officer (SHO) of Rajaldesar, Kamlessh, confirmed that the aircraft crashed in an agriculture field and that human body parts were found nearby. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
This is the second Jaguar aircraft crash this year. In April, another IAF Jaguar crashed during a routine training mission near Jamnagar Air Force Station in Gujarat. In that incident, the aircraft crashed into an open field near Suvarda village, approximately 12 kilometers from Jamnagar city. While one of the pilots ejected safely, the other was found dead by local villagers.
The Jaguar, a twin-engine, Anglo-French jet attack aircraft, has been in service with the IAF for several decades and has been modernized over the years. It is capable of carrying a variety of bombs, missiles, and reconnaissance pods. The IAF has a few squadrons of Jaguar aircraft, which are used for various roles, including maritime strike and ground attack.
The crash near Churu raises concerns about the safety of these aging aircraft and the need for their timely upgrade or replacement. The IAF has been working on upgrading its Jaguar fleet to extend their service life and enhance their capabilities. However, these upgrades have been delayed, and the recent accidents highlight the urgency of addressing the issue.
The incident is under investigation, and further details are awaited from the Indian Air Force.
