Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday expressed profound grief over the death of a courageous Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot following the crash of a fighter jet during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show.
The Defence Minister conveyed his condolences in a post on X, saying, “Deeply anguished at the loss of a brave and courageous IAF pilot during an aerial display in Dubai Air Show. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The nation stands firmly with the family in this tragic hour.”
The Crash Details
The incident involved a Tejas fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force. Visuals aired across various news channels captured the tragic moment when the jet rapidly dropped altitude before crashing on the ground and erupting into a large ball of fire. The resulting smoke billowing from the crash site left spectators shocked.
The Dubai Air Show is a biennial event held in the UAE that features both flying and static displays of aviation technology.
IAF Response and Inquiry
The Indian Air Force released a brief statement confirming the accident and the tragic loss of the pilot’s life.
- Regret and Support: The IAF stated that the force deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family during their time of grief.
- Investigation: The IAF confirmed that a Court of Inquiry is being constituted immediately to thoroughly investigate and ascertain the precise cause of the accident.
Further details regarding the identity of the deceased pilot and the specifics of the ongoing inquiry are currently awaited.