New Delhi, India (BBN) – Seven people were wounded in an Indian Air Force fighter MIG-27 crashed in a village in Jodhpur in the western Indian state of Rajasthan on Friday morning, a Defense Ministry official said.

The MiG-27 pilot, a squadron leader, ejected out of the cockpit safely just before the aircraft crashed between 8.10 hours and 8.20 hours (local time) in Konkani village in Luni, while on a routine sortie, Indian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lt. Col. N. N. Joshi said.

He also said the Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a probe into the crash.

This is fourth crash of IAF aircraft in this year. Earlier, a heavy Su30MKI fighter crashed near Jaisalmer on April 30.

The last MiG27 crash took place in Hashimara on January 31, 2008.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-15May09-8:32 pm (BST)