MiG-21 crashes in Punjab, pilot dead

Chandigarh, May 21 (IANS) An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft crashed in Punjab's Moga district on Thursday night, killing pilot Sqn Ldr Abhinav Choudhary.The aircraft was on a routine training sortie when the mishap took place near Langeana Kalan village, some 24 km from district headquarters.The pilot was returning to the Suratgarh airbase in Rajasthan after the training sorties, officials said.The body of the pilot was found some 2 km from the crash spot, a police official said."There was an aircraft accident last night involving a Bison aircraft of IAF in the western sector. The pilot, Sqn Ldr Abhinav Choudhary, sustained fatal injuries. IAF condoles the tragic loss and stands firmly with the bereaved family," the IAF said in a tweet on Friday.A court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, it added.
--IANS vg/rs