An Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed in the Yemalur area near the HAL airport in Bengaluru at around 10.30 am on Friday morning.
According to HAL sources, there were two pilots inside the jet. They have been identified as Squadron Leader Siddharth Negi and Squadron Leader Sameer Abrol, who were both part of Aircraft and System Testing Establishment in Bengaluru.
Both pilots were taken to Command Hospital, according to HAL sources. Three helicopters and two fire engines came to the rescue within minutes of the crash. HAL sources said that a technical snag led to the crash.
As per reports the pilots were out for a general training session. The aircraft did not take off properly and crashed into the blockade near the runway. Both pilots ejected but their parachutes, too, caught fire. One pilot died while the other is critical and undergoing treatment at command hospital. However, both were killed in the incident, the HAL PRO confirmed.
HAL tweeted, “A Mirage-2000 aircraft crashed at HALAirport during a sortie today at around 10:30 am. Both pilots ejected. Further details are awaited.”
A Mirage-2000 aircraft crashed at HALAirport during a sortie today at around 10:30 am. Both pilots ejected. Further details are awaited. @drajaykumar_ias @DefProdnIndia @SpokespersonMoD @gopalsutar
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) February 1, 2019
— Nagarjun Dwarakanath (@nagarjund) February 1, 2019
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Ms Kalinga