Home

News

Video

In-Short
IAF Pilot, Youngest Sibling, Killed in Jaguar Crash a Month After Becoming a Father.
  • 441 views
  • 2 min read

A pall of grief has descended upon the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the family of Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh, 23, one of the two pilots who tragically lost their lives in a Jaguar fighter jet crash near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan's Churu district on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The other pilot was Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sindhu, 44.

The incident, which occurred during a routine training mission, is the third Jaguar crash in the last five months, raising serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of the aging fleet. The IAF has initiated a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.

According to initial reports, the aircraft crashed in an agricultural field around 12:40 pm, with the wreckage and human remains scattered across the site. Local villagers reported hearing a loud explosion followed by smoke and flames rising from the fields. Emergency services, including police and fire brigades, were immediately dispatched to the scene, and the area was cordoned off.

The IAF confirmed the crash in a statement, expressing deep regret for the loss of lives and extending condolences to the bereaved families. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also expressed his sorrow and assured that the administration was on alert mode, providing instructions for relief and rescue operations.

While the IAF has not officially released details about the pilots, Rajasthan cabinet minister Rajyavardhan Rathore offered his condolences on X (formerly Twitter) for the deaths of Squadron Leader Lokendra Singh Sindhu and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh.

Eyewitnesses at the crash site recounted the grim details of the accident, with one villager stating that the pilot appeared to have made every effort to protect the village. According to this eyewitness, the aircraft took off from Suratgarh air base. This suggests that the pilots may have prioritized avoiding civilian areas, potentially sacrificing their own safety in the process.

The incident has once again brought to light the challenges faced by the IAF, including a shortage of aircraft and the continued reliance on aging fleets. The Jaguar, a twin-engine, single-seater deep-penetration strike aircraft of Anglo-French origin, was inducted into the IAF in 1979. While it has undergone upgrades over the years, its age and the lack of an automatic ejection seat have raised concerns about its continued viability.

Security experts have pointed out that the IAF is currently operating with 31 fighter squadrons against an authorized strength of 42. The Jaguar is the second most widely used aircraft in the IAF, and with India being the last country to still operate this model, maintenance and technical issues are becoming increasingly problematic.

The recent crashes have put a spotlight on the need for the IAF to expedite the acquisition of modern training aircraft and address the systemic issues that may be contributing to these accidents. As the nation mourns the loss of these brave pilots, questions are being raised about the future of the Jaguar fleet and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of IAF personnel.


Writer - Lakshmi Singh
Lakshmi Singh is an emerging journalist with a strong commitment to ethical reporting and a flair for compelling narratives, coupled with a deep passion for sports. Fresh from her journalism studies, Lakshmi is eager to explore topics from social justice to local governance. She's dedicated to rigorous research and crafting stories that not only inform but also inspire meaningful dialogue within communities, all while staying connected to the world of sports.
Advertisement

Latest Post


World  |  Jul 10, 2025
The saga of the British F-35B fighter jet stranded in India since mid-June 2025 may be drawing to a close, with the aircraft potentially preparing for its journey back home. The incident, which began with an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram In...

Business  |  Jul 10, 2025
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT services company, has announced its financial results for the first quarter of FY26, showcasing a steady performance amidst market expectations. The company's consolidated net profit witnessed a ris...

World  |  Jul 10, 2025
Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, has addressed concerns regarding a recent increase in heart attack-related deaths, particularly in the Hassan district. While clarifying that COVID-19 vaccines are not the primary cause, he stated that t...

Technology  |  Jul 10, 2025
xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, is generating buzz with its latest developments surrounding the Grok AI model. The company has teased upgrades to Grok, while Musk has made bold predictions about AI's potential to revolutionize scien...

Advertisement
World  |  Jul 10, 2025
A concerning surge in heart attack-related deaths in the Hassan district of Karnataka, India, has prompted investigations into potential causes, including cardiac arrest and blood clots. In the past 40 days, 22 individuals have died from heart attack...

Business  |  Jul 10, 2025
In a move to incentivize investments in green energy, the government has granted tax benefits to bonds issued by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA). The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Ministry of Finance has n...

Entertainment  |  Jul 10, 2025
Pragya Jaiswal is currently turning heads and setting social media ablaze with her recent photoshoot. The actress, known for her captivating presence, has shared pictures of herself in a stylish white monokini, and fans are going wild. In the photos...

World  |  Jul 10, 2025
The Supreme Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, addressed petitions challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to revise Bihar's electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. While refusing to halt the revision process, t...

Advertisement
About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 DailyDigest360