IAF Pilot Killed In Jaguar Crash Became A Father A Month Ago, Was Youngest Among Siblings
Squadron Leader Lokender Singh, who died in the Jaguar fighter jet crash near Churu, had become a father just a month ago. He was the youngest among three siblings.
One of the two pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF), who died in a crash of a Jaguar fighter jet near Churu in Rajasthan, had become a father just a month back.
According to The Times Of India, Squadron Leader Lokender Singh's wife had delivered a baby boy on June 10 and was still at her maternal home when the news of her husband's death broke.
The Squadron Leader was a resident of Rohtak in Haryana, and had got married during the Covid times, the report claimed, adding that he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2016.
Lokender Singh was the youngest among his three siblings, according to the report. While his brother works at a multinational company (MNC), his sister recently completed her tenure as a short-service commissioned officer in the air force.
The Jaguar fighter jet crash on Wednesday was the third such accident since March involving the twin-engine bomber.
The IAF said a court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Shortly after the crash, locals rushed to the site and found burning debris.
Policemen from Rajaldesar and Ratangarh police stations, a fire brigade and an ambulance also rushed to the spot.
On March 7, a Jaguar fighter jet crashed following a system malfunction shortly after taking off from the Ambala air base. The pilot had manoeuvred the aircraft away from any habitation on the ground before ejecting safely.
On April 2, another Jaguar jet crashed at a village near Jamnagar IAF station in Gujarat following a technical snag. The aircraft was on a training mission.
One pilot was killed in the accident while the other sustained injuries.
Jaguar is a British-French fighter aircraft that was originally deployed in the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force. The first flight of the Jaguar took place on September 8, 1968.
India started inducting the jet in the late 70s.
India inducted 116 Jaguars, out of which 70 were produced under license in the country.
view comments
First Published:
July 10, 2025, 09:27 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru civic agency's plan to feed chicken meals to strays sparks debate
Bengaluru: BBMP's initiative to provide cooked chicken-based meals to 5,000 stray dogs in the city has triggered mixed reactions from residents and social media users. Palike, however, maintains that the programme is a legal obligation under Central govt's Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and aims to reduce dog bites, control aggression, and improve sterilisation success. The initiative, which builds on a feeding scheme started during Covid-19, involves setting up designated feeding points monitored by zonal officials. The food will be made from chicken waste, not premium meat, BBMP clarified, countering online claims that it is providing "chicken biryani" to strays. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "There is no specially prepared dish. It is made from chicken waste and tailored for canine digestion," said Suralkar Vikas Kishor, BBMP's special commissioner. The meals were developed through vet-approved pilot projects last year. At Rs 19 per dog per day, the programme covers food, transport, and cleaning. The food itself costs around Rs 11. The annual expenditure is projected to be nearly Rs 2.9 crore. Bengaluru has an estimated 2.7 lakh stray dogs, but the scheme will target 5,000 dogs in specific hotspot wards where sterilisation and rabies vaccination efforts are lagging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo According to BBMP, many zones have already reached 70% sterilisation, and controlled feeding will help improve capture rates for neutering and vaccinations. Critics have questioned whether public funds should be used for such programmes, suggesting the money could be better spent on dog pounds. However, BBMP points out that confinement of stray dogs is illegal under the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) guidelines. The initiative follows AWBI's ABC handbook, which recommends community management of stray dogs. BBMP says the programme's future will depend on results. If there is a measurable reduction in dog bites and improved sterilisation outcomes, it may be continued or expanded next year. BJP's criticism BJP leaders took a dig at the Congress govt over the plan. In a statement, BJP's Bengaluru South district president CK Ramamurthy demanded clarification from BBMP and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. He pointed out that while the midday meal scheme incurs a cost of Rs 12.4 per meal, this scheme is set to spend Rs 22 per dog. "We are not against feeding dogs, but this policy seems like a waste of taxpayers' money," he said. The BJP also accused the govt of misleading people with such schemes instead of focusing on garbage disposal and fixing potholes.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Wheels of Change Jammed: Chandigarh's Bicycle Push Hits Roadblocks
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: The city's love affair with cycling, which bloomed as the Covid pandemic receded, has turned out to be mere infatuation after all. The Chandigarh administration laid more than 200 km of cycle track across the city but is now struggling to maintain the existing cycle tracks, even though it continues to add more kilometres to the total cycle track length in the city. Similarly, the public bicycle system (PBS), launched in 2020, continues to be paralysed because of vandalism and thefts. In the past year, there have been, on average, two incidents of vandalism and theft every day. The company running the system claims to be suffering major losses. CYCLE TRACKS IN A MESS Potholes or entire stretches missing are increasingly the norm now. "Tracks in the southern sectors, particularly around Sarovar Path and Paschim Marg, are in dreadful condition. In some areas, it is so poor that one cannot move at all on a cycle," said Akhil Bansal, a cycle enthusiast and social worker. Encroachments, both temporary and permanent, dot the cycle tracks. There is little or no effort to remove these. Motorised two-wheelers and parking on cycle tracks are also common. Traffic police are seldom seen removing these vehicles from the tracks. Cyclists have repeatedly complained about the design of the cycle tracks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "At most places, it is very difficult to cross the major roads as cycle tracks on either side of major roads and junctions are poorly connected. Similarly, bollards, open manholes, electricity poles, and trees can be seen in the middle of cycle tracks," said Vasant Garg, a Sector 32 resident and avid cyclist. A UT official said, "Regular surveys of the cycle tracks' conditions are done, and repair and maintenance work is being done continuously. " THE PBS The PBS was launched in 2020. Five thousand bicycles at 614 docket stations across the city are available. Ridership numbers have been dwindling and are majorly skewed in favour of only a few tourist spots. At some locations in the city, there are zero users for the service. Since March this year, there has been a sharp decrease in people using the system, and ridership has declined considerably. A spokesperson for SmartBike, the company that established and is operating the PBS, said, "The PBS was developed in four phases at a cost of about Rs 30 crore, entirely invested by SmartBike. The service operates under a public private partnership mode with Chandigarh Smart City Limited and now with municipal corporation Chandigarh." The company was allowed to earn revenue through outdoor advertisement at the docket stations. The spokesperson said, "SmartBike is facing huge losses due to continuous vandalism and thefts by anti-social elements. There have been 700 cases of bike vandalism in the last year alone. Also, more than 50 display panels at the docket stations have been vandalised during this period. Cycles, copper wiring, and LED modules have been stolen. In the last three years, more than 70 complaints have been made to the police in this regard. " BOX Falling PBS ridership Month (2025) | Ridership Mar | 14,651 Apr | 13,401 May | 11,035 June | 11,504 BOX2 PBS Stations with Highest Rides - Top 5 (March 25 – June 25) Stations | Ridership Sukhna Lake | 4,192 Sukhna Club | 3,664 CM House Punjab, Sec-2A | 3,349 Ahuja, Sector 17 | 1,781 Rock Garden | 1,200 BOX3 PBS Stations with Zero Ridership (March 25 – June 25) Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sec-47A Guru Nanak Khalsa High School, Sec-30B Mount Carmel School, Sec-47B Public Park-2, Sec-47A Public Park-4, Sec-47B BOX5 PBS Areas with Highest Incidences of Theft & Vandalism Sector 45, Burail, Nayagaon, Ramdarbar, Maloya, Dhanas, Hallomajra, Kajheri (Sec 52), Sector 47
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Bus services to Christ Colony in Kedamullur resume after 5 years
Madikeri: The KSRTC bus services to Christ Colony in Kedamullur, which were stopped during Covid time five years ago, have now resumed. This brought joy, leading to celebrations in the village. As the bus arrived at Christ Colony, the residents offered puja to the bus and distributed sweets among the villagers. The bus departs from Madikeri at 7am. This bus service was stopped during Covid. After that, despite repeated requests to the officials concerned, it was of no use, which caused problems for those going to schools, colleges, and work in the urban areas. The panchayat members of Kedamullur and the villagers had raised the bus problem with MLA Ponnanna. Responding immediately, MLA Ponnanna discussed with Madikeri KSRTC manager Lingayya, depot manager Shanthakumar, and officer M Mahbub Ali and informed them about the resumption of bus services. Accordingly, the bus services were resumed, which was flagged off by the MLA. Village leader and gram panchayat member Maletira Prashanth Uthappa said that the residents here had a lot of problems without bus services. Although they took up the problem many times, it was of no use. Now, with the special efforts of the MLA, bus services have started, benefiting the villagers.
