IAF MIG-23 crashes in Jodhpur, pilots safe

New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) training aircraft MIG-23 crashed today in Balesar of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan with no casualties. "It was a MIG-23 UB trainer plane. Both the pilots were ejected safely. The crash happened 60 km away from Jodhpur at 11:30 am while on a routine training session," said an IAF Spokesperson. A Court of Inquiry has been instituted.

This is the second defence helicopter crash in a week. Early this week an IAF chopper, HAL-manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, had taken off from Tezpur at 1030 hrs and was carrying flood materials to Arunachal Pradesh. It lost contact near Sagalee in Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh. The wreckage of the helicopter and three IAF personnel are yet to be found. (UNI)