IAF fighter jet crashes in a field in Assam state

NEW DELHI – A fighter jet of Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in a field in the state of Assam, northeast India, international media reported late on Thursday. Both pilots managed to eject from the plane, but sustained injuries and were taken to hospital. The accident took place in the vicinity of the city of Tezpur, about 75 km southwest of India's border with Bhutan, and 130 km south of the border with China, on Thursday night. The jet named as Su-30MKI fighter. was reportedly flying out of Tezpur Airport. Both pilots managed to eject from the plane before the crash, but sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the seriousness of their injuries. The IAF released a statement about the incident, saying the plane was engaged in a "routine training mission," with both pilots rescued and a "court of inquiry" to "ascertain [the] cause of the accident" to take place. Unconfirmed reports suggest an unspecified 'technical snag' was to blame for the crash.