A sophisticated Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft on Thursday crashed near here, killing one of the two pilots. This is the first time that a Sukhoi-30 MKI, a frontline fighter plane, has crashed.

The incident occurred at around 1020 hours near Rajmathai village, about 70 km from here, when the plane, the squadron of which is based in Pune, was on a routine exercise, Defence PRO Lt Col NN Joshi said.