IAF fighter jet crashes in Punjab's Hoshiarpur, pilot safe

A Mig-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Hoshiarpur district in Punjab on Friday, news agency ANI reported.

The aircraft fell to the ground in the Chuharpur village of the district and burst into flames. The report adds that the pilot managed to survive to crash.

Air Force officials have confirmed that the pilot managed to eject safely before the crash.

"On 08 May 20, at 1045h, one Mig-29 aircraft airborne on a training mission from an Air Force base near Jalandhar met with an accident. The aircraft had developed a technical snag and the pilot ejected safely as he was unable to control the aircraft. The pilot has been rescued by a helicopter. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of accident," a statement from the Ministry of Defence said.

Local authorities rushed to the spot quickly and took stock of the situation. After the crash, the pilot was taken to a nearby hospital.

(This is a developing story. More details awaited)