Flt Lt Siddharth Yadav. (Viral photo via X)
New Delhi: The missing pilot of the Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter plane that crashed near Jamnagar on Wednesday has later been found dead. He has been identified as 28-year-old Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, a promising officer from Rewari, Haryana.
The other pilot, who had ejected safely, has been identified as Manoj Kumar Singh by some media outlets. He is reported to be treated for his injuries sustained during the crash. However, there has been no official release of his rank and name.
Flt Lt Siddharth Yadav’s death has plunged his family, village, and the nation into mourning. He was the only son of his parents and had recently been engaged, with his wedding planned for November this year. His father, Sushil Yadav, a retired IAF airman, expressed both pride and grief over his son’s sacrifice. “He lost his life while saving others. It is a matter of pride but also immense sorrow as he was my only son,” he said.
#WATCH | Rewri, Haryana | Air Force pilot Siddharth Yadav lost his life in a Jaguar fighter aircraft crash late last night in Jamnagar.
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025
His father Sushil Yadav says, "The commanding air officer called last night at around 11 am and informed us about the incident that an aircraft… pic.twitter.com/UXxfHHn0IK
Flt Lt Yadav represented the fourth generation of his family to serve in the armed forces. His great-grandfather served under British rule in the Bengal Engineers, while his grandfather and father also contributed to India’s defence forces. Flt Lt Yadav joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2016 and earned his commission as a fighter pilot three years later. Known for his dedication and brilliance, he had recently returned to duty after celebrating his engagement with family.
According to reports, during the crash, Both pilots initiated ejection to avoid harm to the airfield and nearby populated areas. Flt Lt demonstrated extraordinary courage by steering the malfunctioning aircraft away from populated areas before attempting ejection. This selfless act ensured no civilian casualties but tragically cost him his life. He also reportedly helped his co-pilot to eject safely.
Siddharth had been a good friend of mine since Class 7. I still remember those days when he would come at 6 in the morning just to pick me up for our cricket matches. He was a lively person—my neighbor and a long-time friend. This is a personal loss that words cannot express. pic.twitter.com/A5hk9pY5PU
— Peeu_sh (@Rajmachawal98) April 3, 2025
Condolences have poured in from across India for Flt Lt Yadav’s sacrifice. The Haryana chief minister, Nayab Singh Saini, described him as “a brave son of Haryana’s soil whose sacrifice will always be remembered.” The entire village of Majra Bhalkhi in Rewari has come together to mourn their hero as preparations are underway for his cremation with full military honours.
Safety Concerns Raised
As reported by India Sentinels, the crash site, an open field near Suvarda village around 12 kilometres from Jamnagar, was engulfed in flames before being secured by emergency responders. A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Tomorrow will be just another day for most... but for the family of Braveheart Air Warrior Flt Lt Siddharth Yadav, no tomorrow will ever be the same ?
— Meghna Girish ?? (@megirish2001) April 3, 2025
Please keep his parents and loved ones in your prayers tonight ?
Never forget #FreedomIsNotFree
Travel well son. Forever 28… pic.twitter.com/pL7RdbQvS5
The crash has reignited debates about operational safety within the IAF fleet, particularly concerning aging aircraft like Jaguars, which were first inducted in the late 1970s. While these jets have undergone upgrades over time, concerns persist about their reliability during critical missions.
As India Sentinels had reported on Wednesday, quite a few Jaguars have crashed in the last few years. On the same day, April 2, in 2011, a similar Jaguar crash in Kashmir claimed the lives of two young Air Force pilots.
