New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-23 fighter aircraft today (Feb 7, 2004) crashed while participating in an exercise over Pokhran range in Rajasthan, killing the pilot.

The crash occurred at 09:30 hours (IST) when the warplane was taking part in a "range sortie", an IAF spokesman said.

A court of inquiry has been ordered to go into the cause of the accident, he said, adding the name of the pilot would be disclosed after his family is informed about the incident.