Indian Air Force plane crashes in UP's Kushinagar; pilot ejected safely

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed on Monday in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar, about 322 kilometres from the state capital Lucknow, according to media reports.

The Jaguar plane crashed into a farm and burst into flames immediately soon after it took off from the Gorakhpur Air Force base, reported news agency ANI.

Uttar Pradesh: Visuals from Kushinagar where an Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter plane crashed today, the pilot managed to eject safely. A court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the accident. pic.twitter.com/fZtAtJcd3U

- ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2019

The pilot was ejected safely with the help of a parachute after steering the plane away from areas inhabited by people, added the reports.

"Today morning, a Jaguar aircraft while on a routine mission from Gorakhpur, crashed. Pilot ejected safely. A court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the accident," a statement from the Indian Air Force said.

The IAF officials reached the crash site and created a periphery around the burning plane to keep local villagers at a safe distance.

An inquiry has been ordered to find out the reason for the crash.

Edited by Chitranjan Kumar