Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered condolences after an Indian Air Force pilot died after a Tejas fighter jet crashed and went up in flames on Friday. The aircraft was performing aerial display at Dubai Air Show.
In an X post, Singh said: “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”.
Rajnath Singh says he was “deeply anguished at the loss of a brave and courageous IAF pilot during an aerial display in Dubai Air Show.”
IAF constitutes court of inquiry
In a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming the death of the pilot, the Indian Air Force announced it was constituting a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,” an Air Force spokesperson said.
CDS expressed ‘deep regret’
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan expressed ‘deep regret’ at the crash and said all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces stand firm with the bereaved family.
”General Anil Chauhan, CDS and all ranks of Indian Armed Forces deeply regret the incident in which an IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. We deeply regret the loss of life and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) said on X.
