BARMER (TIP): Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed when their twin-seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft met with an accident near Barmer in Rajasthan on July 28  night. The IAF said the accident took place around 9:10 pm. “A twin seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft of the IAF was airborne for a training sortie from Utarlai air base in Rajasthan this evening,” it said. “Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families,” the IAF said in a statement. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari following the crash. “Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF’s Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan,” Mr. Singh said on Twitter. “Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness,” he said. IAF has some 70 MiG 21 jets which are a 1960s design but the ones being flown are 30-35 years or more in age. The IAF announced it intends to phase out the MiG 21 fleet by 2025.

(With inputs from  PTI)