A MiG-29 fighter aircraft crashed into a mountain during a night flying exercise near Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. Air Force spokesperson told our Correspondent in New Delhi today the mishap occurred at 8.30 PM last night in Chokang village. Pilot is reportedly missing after the crash. IAF has sent a team to locate the wreckage and the missing pilot.

Two MiG-29 aircraft of western air command took off from Adampur in Jalandhar for night flying exercise in high altitude and during a turn, one of them crashed into a mountain.

The IAF said the second plane returned safely and the exercise has not been called off.

AIR correspondent reports, this is the seventh air crash involving IAF's fighter aircraft this year and the second this month.

On the 7th of this month, a MiG-21 aircraft crashed near Uttarlai airport in Rajasthan's Barmer district but the pilot ejected safely.

In another crash incident, a BSF helicopter crashed at Sheelamaran in Khunti district of Jharkhand this morning.

The Superintendent of Police, Khunti has reached the spot. There were three crew members on board the helicopter and all of them are reportedly dead.

The cause of the crash is being investigated. Rescue operation has started. Further details are awaited.