Defence Minister expresses grief after fighter pilot dies in IAF MiG-21 aircraft crash

Shimla: Soon after an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet pilot was killed in a crash, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday expressed grief about the loss and condoled the braveheart's family. A MiG-21 fighter aircraft, earlier in the day, crashed in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district.

"We express deep grief at the martyrdom of a brave air warrior. At1220 hrs today, a MiG21 of @IAF_MCC, airborne from Pathankot Airfield for a test, crashed near Pathankot. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of brave pilot Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar, who we lost in the fateful crash," Sitharaman tweeted.

We express deep grief at the martyrdom of a brave air warrior.
At1220 hrs today, a MiG21 of @IAF_MCC ,airborne from Pathankot Airfield for a test, crashed near Pathankot. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of brave pilot Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar, who we lost in the fateful crash. — Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) July 18, 2018

Among many others, Major Surendra Poonia too took to Twitter calling the incident tragic and unfortunate. He shared a video of the deceased pilot Meet Kumar who is seen introducing himself as a squadron leader. Major Poonia in his post called Kumar 'a die-hard and passionate fighter pilot who loved this machine (MiG-21) more than anything!'

Tragic & unfortunate !
Air Warrior Squadron Leader Meet Kumar died today in a MiG 21 crash in the line of duty in Kangra.
A die-hard & passionate fighter pilot who loved this machine more than anything !
RIP Salute & Respect @IAF_MCC @adgpi
Few days ago Sq Ldr Meet Kumar pic.twitter.com/51ZKrZHVi0 — Maj Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) July 18, 2018

The aircraft had taken off from Punjab's Pathankot. A search and rescue team immediately rushed to the spot to locate the pilot's body. The debris of the ill-fated fighter aircraft was spotted scattered in the dense forest area. It is still not known as to what caused the crash.

MiG-21 Indian aircraft coming from Punjab's Pathankot crashes in Patta Jattiyan in Jawali subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district. Pilot is missing. Rescue team on the way. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/093Psw4HEj — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2018

Several incidents of crash involving the MiG-21 fighter aircraft have been reported in the recent past, raising concerns over the Russian made aircraft. The IAF is already in the process of phasing out the MiG-21 fighters.