A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday, July 9, resulting in the death of the pilot. The crash sent shockwaves through the nearby town of Ratangarh, where panic spread rapidly.
Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion in the sky, followed by flames and thick smoke rising from the fields. The impact of the crash triggered a fire in the surrounding area, which villagers attempted to douse before emergency services arrived.
Police and administrative teams, including Churu District Collector Abhishek Surana, rushed to the site. The severely damaged body of the pilot was recovered near the wreckage. Efforts are underway by the Army and local authorities to identify the remains.
The cause of the crash is yet to be determined and will be confirmed following an official investigation by the Indian Air Force.
