An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet crashed near HAL Airport in Bengaluru on Friday morning. Two pilots of the Dassault Mirage 2000 managed to eject but have been reported dead.
The incident took place after the fighter jet developed some technical snags at 10.30 am. The pilots belonged to IAFs Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment unit.
The aircraft burst into flames immediately after the crash. Even though both the pilots, Squadron Leader Siddharth Negi and Squadron Leader Sameer Abrol ejected before the crash, their parachutes caught fire.
Sq Ldr Negi landed back on the debris which led to his death and Sq Ldr Sameer Abrol was rushed to the IAF Command Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) confirmed that the jet developed some technical difficulties which resulted in the crash. IAF has ordered for an investigation over the matter.
(More details awaited)
