Locals rushed to the aid of the injured pilot of a crashed Mig-29 fighter aircraft in Punjab's Nawanshahr before medical help could reach the village. 

A Mig-29 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Chuharpur village on Friday due to a technical snag and burst into flames, officials said. While the pilot ejected safely, he was injured as he landed with the help of a parachute. 

Senior officials of Nawanshahr (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) and Hoshiarpur districts reached the spot as Chuharpur village is located at the border of the two districts. 

Before medical help arrived to take him to a community health centre at Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur district, locals gathered around to shield the pilot from strong sunlight. 

In a heartening video shared by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, locals are seen covering the pilot from above and also trying to give him some air with a cloth. 

Watch the video here:

I am relieved to know that @IAF_MCC pilot ejected to safety in Hoshiarpur after his MIG-29 crashed today. Thank the local people for immediately rushing to the aid of the pilot. Proud of you all! pic.twitter.com/fcno2yQDck

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 8, 2020

The IAF said in a tweet that the pilot was given timely assistance and care by the local people. 

"#ThankYouIndia : The IAF's MiG-29 Pilot who ejected today near Hoshiyarpur was given timely assistance and care by the local people of Rurkee Kalan, Nawanshahr, Punjab. Thank you from the #airwarriors," the IAF said.

Earlier, Hoshiarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Garg said the fighter jet crashed around 10:40 am but the pilot was perfectly fine. He was taken to the community health centre at Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur district, the official said. 

The jet burst into flames after the crash and the fire was doused by two fire tenders. 

The Air Force said the aircraft took off from Adampur Air Force base in Jalandhar. The Mig-29 aircraft was on a training mission, the IAF said in a statement. 

"The aircraft had developed a technical snag and the pilot ejected safely as he was unable to control the aircraft," it said. 

A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident, the statement added.