NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 crashed Wednesday in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, police said.
According to the officials, the pilot was missing and his whereabouts were being ascertained.
The MiG-21 fighter jet of IAF crashed in a field in village Patta Jatian village of Kangra district, about 214 km northwest of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh.
"Today a MiG-21 belonging to IAF has crashed here at around 1:30 p.m. (local time)," a police official said. "Parts of the aircraft were scattered, besides one part was in flames, when people and police teams reached the spot."
According to officials, the fighter jet was coming from neighbouring Punjab's Pathankot.
"Rescue teams have been sent to locate the pilot around the crash site," the police officials said.
Reports said IAF has inducted over 900 MiG-21 in its fleet over the past 40 years and many of these planes were lost in crashes.
Of late India is phasing out its MiG-21 squadron, following incidents of its frequent crashes in the past.