Jaguar crash in Rajasthan claims young IAF pilots; one had just welcomed baby boy to the world
PTC Web Desk: In a heartbreaking incident, two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots lost their lives on Wednesday afternoon when a Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district. The aircraft, engaged in a routine training mission, went down around 1.25 pm in an agricultural field near Bhanuda village.
The pilots—Squadron Leader Lokender Singh Sindhu, 31, and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh, 23—were among the finest in the force. One was a new father, having just welcomed a baby boy into the world; the other, barely out of his early 20s, was already proving himself as a future star in the IAF’s cockpit.
This marks the third Jaguar crash in five months, renewing concerns over the ageing fleet that has served India since its initial induction in the 1970s. The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the latest mishap.
Squadron Leader Lokender Singh Sindhu, commissioned in 2016, hailed from Rohtak in Haryana. A graduate of the National Defence Academy, he was admired not only for his flying skills but also for his integrity and composure. Colleagues remember him as someone who was focused in the skies and humble on the ground. Sindhu had recently embraced fatherhood, with his son born on June 10. His wife and infant son were at her parental home in Hisar at the time of the crash.
Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh, a young officer from Pali district in Rajasthan, was co-piloting the twin-seater Jaguar during the ill-fated sortie. At 23, he had just begun his journey as a combat pilot but had already earned respect for his discipline and sharp instincts. Villagers who witnessed the crash believe both pilots attempted to steer the aircraft away from residential areas in their final moments, possibly saving many lives.
In a statement, the IAF expressed profound sorrow over the loss and assured support to the bereaved families. “IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the families in this hour of grief,” the statement read.
The Rajputana Rifles, among many military units and veterans, also paid tribute. "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two brave air warriors... Their sacrifice will never be forgotten," the unit posted on X (formerly Twitter).
- With inputs from agencies
