An Indian Air Force fighter jet crashed, killing its trainee pilot on Wednesday night.

The Jaguar fighter jet was on a training mission when it plummeted into an open field at Suvarda Village, near Jamnagar City in Gujarat, igniting a fire on April 2.

Dramatic footage shows the wrecked two-seater aircraft engulfed in flames, with the surrounding ground also ablaze. Emergency responders and residents quickly arrived at the site.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud bang and then seeing the plane burning, with thick smoke billowing from the crash site.

Authorities confirmed that one pilot successfully ejected before the crash and sustained severe injuries, while the other pilot was found dead by shocked villagers.

The Indian Air Force said: 'An IAF Jaguar two-seater aircraft airborne from Jamnagar Airfield crashed during a night mission. The pilots faced a technical malfunction and initiated ejection, avoiding harm to airfield and local population.

'Unfortunately, one pilot succumbed to his injuries, while the other is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Jamnagar.

'IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.'

This crash follows a similar incident earlier this year, on February 6, when a Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed during a routine training sortie after encountering a system malfunction in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, at around 2:30 pm. Local media reported that the pilots successfully ejected before the aircraft hit the ground.