IAF Jaguar Crashes in Jamnagar: Pilot Killed, Father Says “Very Proud of Him”
IAF Jaguar Crashes in Jamnagar: Pilot Killed, Father Says “Very Proud of Him”
Jamnagar, Gujarat: A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in an open field near Suvarda village in Jamnagar during a night training mission on Wednesday, resulting in the death of one pilot and injuries to another.
The crash occurred around 9:30 pm and was captured on CCTV from a nearby house, which recorded a flash of light moments before the jet went down. According to the IAF, the aircraft suffered a technical malfunction mid-air, prompting both pilots to initiate ejection procedures.
Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav perished in a Jaguar fighter jet crash near Jamnagar, Gujarat. The incident occurred during a routine training mission, casting a somber shadow over the Indian Air Force (IAF) .the young pilot’s untimely death has left his family.
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While one pilot managed to eject safely and was rescued with injuries, the second pilot, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, was unable to exit the aircraft in time and lost his life in the crash.
Local fire services rushed to the scene as the jet erupted in flames upon impact. The blaze was later brought under control. No civilian casualties or damage to property were reported on the ground.
The injured pilot was admitted to Guru Gobind Singh Government Hospital in Jamnagar. Dr. Deepak Tiwari, Superintendent of the hospital, confirmed the pilot sustained a fractured leg and is currently stable and out of danger.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Air Force said, “An IAF Jaguar two-seater aircraft airborne from Jamnagar Airfield crashed during a night mission. The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to the airfield and local population. Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is receiving medical treatment.”
The IAF expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to the bereaved family. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident and the technical failure that led to the crash.
#WATCH | Rewri, Haryana | Air Force pilot Siddharth Yadav lost his life in a Jaguar fighter aircraft crash late last night in Jamnagar.
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025
His father Sushil Yadav says, "The commanding air officer called last night at around 11 am and informed us about the incident that an aircraft… pic.twitter.com/UXxfHHn0IK
Grief and Pride in Rewri Village, Haryana
The deceased pilot, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, hailed from Rewri village in Haryana’s Mahendragarh district. The news of his death has plunged the Yadav family into mourning.
His father, Sushil Yadav, a former Air Force personnel, was informed about the tragic incident by the commanding air officer around 11 pm. “The officer told us one pilot was rescued, but our son, Siddharth, had died in the crash,” he said.
Siddharth, a brilliant student and a proud alumnus of the National Defence Academy’s 135th course (January 2016 batch), was engaged to be married just days ago, on March 23.
“He always made us proud. We come from a military background. My father and grandfather served in the Army, and I served in the Air Force. I am proud of my son’s bravery, but it’s also heartbreaking as he was our only son,” said Sushil Yadav.
The tragic incident has not only left the village in shock but has also sparked tributes across the defence community for the young officer who gave his life in the line of duty.
