Churu, Rajasthan – July 9, 2025 : A fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today near Bhanoda village in the Churu district of Rajasthan. The aircraft was a Jaguar fighter jet, used by the IAF for training and combat missions. The crash happened around 1:25 PM while the jet was returning from a routine training flight.

Sadly, both pilots onboard the jet lost their lives in the crash. The names of the pilots have not yet been shared with the public, as the families are being informed. The IAF has expressed deep sorrow over the loss and has launched an investigation to find out what caused the accident.

Local people in Bhanoda village heard a loud explosion and saw smoke in the sky. Some villagers rushed to the spot and saw parts of the aircraft scattered across a field. They also saw rescue helicopters arrive shortly after the crash. The local police reached the area and helped cordon off the site to make room for investigators and IAF officials.

This is not the first Jaguar crash this year. In fact, this is the third Jaguar crash in just five months and the second fatal one in three months. Earlier this year, a Jaguar jet crashed in Gujarat, and another one crashed in Haryana. In some of these incidents, the pilots managed to escape safely, but in others, lives were lost.

Many experts are concerned because these Jaguar jets are quite old. They were first used by the IAF several decades ago and have been upgraded several times since. But with more frequent crashes happening, there are growing calls for these jets to be retired soon and replaced with newer aircraft.

The IAF has already begun using newer jets like the Tejas, made in India. But replacing an entire fleet takes time, training, and resources. Meanwhile, the IAF says it is doing everything possible to maintain the older jets safely and carefully.

The crash in Churu has raised important questions. Was there a technical problem with the aircraft? Was it a result of human error? Or did something else go wrong during the flight? These are the questions the official court of inquiry will try to answer in the coming weeks.

Officials have praised the quick response of the rescue teams and the support of local villagers. The crash site is now under full control of the IAF and police, and people have been asked to stay away from the area.

This unfortunate accident is a reminder of the risks that brave pilots take every day to protect the country. The Indian Air Force has promised to provide full support to the families of the pilots and ensure a thorough investigation.

As the country mourns the loss of two courageous airmen, many are hoping that steps will be taken soon to improve flight safety and bring in more advanced aircraft