2 Indian Air Force pilots dead as trainer aircraft crashes

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed in action on Monday when their Pilatus trainer aircraft crashed during training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal in Telangana. The pilots include an instructor and one cadet, officials said.

"It is with deep regret that (the) IAF confirms that both the pilots on board have sustained fatal injuries," the IAF said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X to condole the death of the pilots. "Anguished by this accident near Hyderabad. It is deeply saddening that two pilots have lost their lives. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families," he wrote on the microblogging site.