MiG-21 crashes near Jamnagar in Gujarat, pilot safe

JAMNAGAR: A MiG-21 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed during a sortie near Bed village in Jamnagar district today while the pilot managed to eject safely, the second such incident this week involving MiG series aircraft.

"A MiG-21 crashed at Rasoolnagar area near Bed village, 20-km from Jamangar city," district superintendent of police Neeraj Badgujar told PTI.

IAF officials said the pilot managed to eject safely during the accident which occurred around 2 PM.

They said the aircraft was on a range firing sortie and while operating, "a flash was seen on the wing which resulted in fire". The pilot ejected immediately.

The pilot, who landed in a tide-pool created by the sea water near the spot, was later rescued by an IAF chopper.

A MiG-27 fighter aircraft crashed on Tuesday in Rajasthan's Barmer district.

In 2012, two IAF choppers had collided and crashed near the same spot between Bed and Samrath villages and nine personnels were killed.