SRINAGAR: A MIG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force today crashed in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district in Kashmir, killing the pilot. The MIG-21, which was on a routine exercise, crashed in the fields at Mirhama in Bijbehara area, 45 kms from here, defence sources said.
Pilot Raghu Bansi was killed in the crash, they said.
The MIG-21 had taken off from Technical Airport here this morning, the sources said.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known. A team of IAF officials have rushed to the spot. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences to the bereaved family of the pilot and suggested that the Centre address the defence procurement issue of the armed forces at the earliest.
"Not entirely disconnected from today's crash the new Govt needs to sort (out) defence procurement issue for Navy, Air Force & Army ASAP," he said on twitter.
Expressing grief over the death of the pilot in the crash, the Chief minister said, "My condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of the pilot killed in the MIG crash today. May his soul rest in peace."