Mirage crash: IAF pilots avert major tragedy in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Two senior pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) who died after a Mirage-2000 fighter crashed on Friday showed exemplary presence of mind to avoid major mishap and saved several lives at the cost of their own, Air Force official said.

According to officials, the plane could have crashed in a crowded area, but pilot's presence of mind prevented a major disaster.

The pilots were identified as Squadron Leader Sameer Abrol and Squadron Leader Siddarth Negi.

However, the exact cause of the incident has not been ascertained.

The state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) makes and upgrades aircraft for training and combat operations of the IAF as the country's sole defence behemoth. It also maintains and operates the military airport in the city.

The crash took place around 10.30 a.m.," a HAL official said earlier.

HAL also operates the military airport with the IAF and other state-run defence and aerospace agencies like DRDO and ADA.

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