A MiG-27 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Hashimara in West Bengal on Saturday with the pilot ejecting out of the aircraft.
However, the pilot is yet to be traced as he parachuted into a forest area.
An IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi that the MiG-27 took off from the Hashimara Air Base for a routine sortie and crashed within minutes of take-off.
The mishap took place around 1030 hours at a place around 25 kilometres away from the Hashimara base.
"The pilot ejected and parachuted into a forest area. The IAF has launched a search to trace the pilot," the spokesperson said.
MiG-27 crashes in Bengal, pilot killed