IAF plane catches fire during take-off

BHUBANESWAR: An Indian Air Force plane caught fire while taking off after refuelling here at the Biju Patnaik Airport on Saturday.

Khurda district Superintendent of Police Amitabh Thakur said the plane crashed due to the fire, adding no one was injured in the incident.

A pilot who was inside the plane has been rescued, he said.

Thakur said that one of the four IAF planes, 'Surya Kiran', landed at the airport for refuelling. The incident took place as the flight jumped the runway during taking off after refuelling.

Three other planes were safe, he said.