Mid-Air Catastrophe: Indian Fighter Jets Collide in Training Mission

Madhya Pradesh - In a tragic turn of events, two of India's frontline fighter jets, a Sukhoi-30MKI and a Mirage-2000, collided mid-air during a routine training mission over Morena district in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday morning.

The Sukhoi-30MKI, a twin-seater aircraft, had two pilots on board, both of whom managed to eject safely and sustained minor injuries.

The Mirage-2000, a single-seater jet, was piloted by Wing Commander Hanumanth Rao Sarathi, who tragically lost his life in the incident. According to the radio transmission from the Sukhoi-30MKI pilots, there were initial reports of a sudden malfunction just before the collision. One of the pilots in the Sukhoi-30MKI reported, "We are losing control, we need backup!" before the communication was lost, indicating the severity of the situation.

Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a deafening explosion and witnessing balls of fire descending from the sky, followed by two parachutes deploying as the pilots ejected.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a court of inquiry to determine the exact cause of the accident. 

This incident underscores the inherent risks associated with military aviation and highlights the need for stringent safety protocols during training missions.