MiG-27 crashes in West Bengal, pilot safe

KOLKATA - A MiG-27 aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district Friday, a defence spokesman here said. The pilot ejected safely, and there were no casualties on the ground.

The aircraft, which took off from Kalaikunda airbase on a routine sortie, crashed at 8.30 a.m. in Duria village, about 40 km from the airbase, said Wing Commander Mahesh Upasani, the defence ministry’s chief public relations officer here.

“The pilot ejected safely. There were no civilian casualties also,” Upasani said.

After the locals informed the authorities, a rescue team was rushed to the spot to take charge in case of any emergency.

A court of inquiry has been formed to investigate the matter, the spokesman said.