A MiG-27 aircraft crashed at Jorpokhri village in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Saturday killing one person and injuring 10 others. The pilot ejected to safety.
According to a press statement released by the Eastern Air Command, based in Shillong, the aircraft took off from the Air Force's Hashimara base on a routine sortie but crashed within minutes at 10.30 a.m.
The war-plane was being flown by Squadron Leader Saket Verma, who was admitted to the Hashimara Air Force hospital with minor injuries.
A court of inquiry has been ordered by the Air Force to determine the reason behind the crash, the statement stated.
Inspector-General of Police (North Bengal) Ranveer Kumar said Bholen Ray, a farmer, was killed in the crash.
“Mr. Ray was working in the field when the aircraft came crashing down on him. He was killed on the spot. Ten persons, including women and children, were injured. One injured woman's legs had to be amputated and she was transferred to Kolkata,” Mr. Kumar said.
He added that the rest of the injured were undergoing treatment at the Siliguri hospital.
A couple of houses were also damaged in the crash.
