Jamnagar fighter jet crash: Siddharth saved lives, before losing his own

GANDHINAGAR: Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, a dedicated Indian Air Force pilot, lost his life in a tragic crash involving a Jaguar fighter jet in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The accident occurred on Wednesday night. Despite facing a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff at 9:30 pm, Siddharth prioritised the safety of others over his own life. He ensured his co-pilot, Manoj Kumar Singh, ejected safely before the plane crashed in an open field near Suvarda village, 12 km from Jamnagar city. Manoj Kumar is currently receiving medical treatment.

Siddharth Yadav hailed from Bhalkhi Majra village in Haryana's Rewari district and joined the Air Force in 2017. Coming from a family with a strong military background, his father, Sushil Kumar, is a former Air Force officer, while his grandfather and great-grandfather served in the army. Siddharth was the only son of Sushil and Neelam Yadav. He completed his training as a fighter pilot after passing the NDA exam in 2016 and became a flight lieutenant two years ago. His father expressed pride in his son's courage and dedication, even in the face of death.

The crash occurred just days after Siddharth's engagement; his wedding was planned for November 2. The incident happened the day he came back to work following leave. The aircraft's technical fault led to an unsuccessful attempt to land before it crashed into an open field, avoiding harm to civilians and infrastructure.