Bhopal:

Two Indian Air Force fighter jets – a Sukhoi Su-30 and a Mirage 2000 – have crashed in Madhya Pradesh throughout a coaching train, officers mentioned on Saturday.

The Su-30 had two pilots whereas Mirage 2000 had one pilot, defence sources mentioned. Two pilots are mentioned to be secure after they managed to eject. The two pilots, who’re reportedly severe injured, have been moved to a hospital.

Search and rescue operations are underway for the third pilot.

Both the fighter jets had taken off from the Gwalior Air Force base.

Videos from the scene, shot by locals in Morena, confirmed particles of the plane on the bottom.

The Air Force has launched a probe to look at if a mid-air collision led to the crash, defence sources informed NDTV.

“IAF court of inquiry has been launched to establish whether there was a mid-air collision or not. The Su-30 had two pilots while Mirage 2000 had one pilot during the crash. Initial reports suggest two pilots are safe while an IAF chopper reaching the location of the third pilot soon,” sources mentioned.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been briefed by Indian Air Force chief on the crash of two plane, information company PTI reported.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan mentioned in a tweet, “The news of the crash of Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft of the Air Force near Kolaras in Morena is very sad. I have instructed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. I pray to God that the pilots of the planes are safe.”

Meanwhile, one other plane crash has been reported in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, 100 km away, however authorities haven’t but mentioned if they’re associated. The plane crashed in an open subject within the Ucchain space of town.

“Received information about a plane crash around 10-10.15 am. After coming here, it was found it was an IAF fighter jet. Going by the debris, we’re unable to adjudge if it’s a fighter plane or a regular plane. Yet to know if pilots got out or are still in,” a police officer mentioned, in line with information company ANI.