A MiG 21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Nal air base in Bikaner on Monday night but the pilot ejected safely, official sources said in Delhi on Tuesday.

The aircraft was on a routine sortie when it crashed close to the air base at 2140 IST, an IAF spokesman said adding Flying Officer S Mitra ejected safely.

"No loss of life or injury to any persons or damage on the ground has been reported," he said.

A court of inquiry has been ordered to probe the cause of the crash but a preliminary report suggested engine failure.