A MiG 21 fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force crashed near Nal airbase in Bikaner following engine failure, IAF officials said on Tuesday. The aircraft was on a routine night sortie when it crashed in sand dunes close to air base, IAF spokesman said. He said this is second MiG-21 crash this year, and ninth fighter to go down so far. Recently, in a spate of accidents three French-built Mirage 2000 aircraft have met with accidents this year, he added.
Four Jaguar deep penetration aircraft have also met with accidents with two involved in a mid-air collision in bad weather in Indian occupied Kashmir valley in which both pilots were killed.