2 Indian Air Force pilots dead after MiG-21 crashes in Rajasthan

A two-seater MiG-21 trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during a training session at an air base in Rajasthan, leaving two pilots dead on Thursday (July 28) evening.

The incident took place at around 9:10 pm local time near Barmer district, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"Both pilots sustained fatal injuries," India's defence ministry said.

Visuals from the crash site obtained by Indian media showed flames emerging out of a crashed aircraft while the wreckage spread over a radius of 500 metres.

According to eyewitnesses, body of one of the pilots was badly charred, while that of the other was severely damaged. Some of the villagers shared disturbing visuals of the fighter plane on social media.

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The IAF said it "deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families."