An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet crashed near the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, following a technical malfunction during a routine training mission.
The aircraft, an upgraded version of the MiG-29 had taken off from Udhampur in Punjab and was en route to Agra for a training exercise when the crash occurred.
The incident marks the second MiG-29 crash in India within two months. In September, another MiG-29 had crashed during a routine patrol in Rajasthan's Barmer district. Both incidents have raised concerns about the safety of the aircraft, which have been part of the IAF's fleet for years.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, while rescue and recovery operations have been launched at the crash site. The pilot's condition remains unknown at this time.
This crash highlights the ongoing challenges the Indian Air Force faces in maintaining its fleet of aging fighter jets, even after recent upgrades.
