Defence sources said the pilot spotted fire during the take off roll, aborted the take off and carried out safe exit.
"Today evening at Ambala air field, a Jaguar aircraft aborted takeoff while getting airborne for a routine night flying mission. The pilot carried out safe and quick exit. The aircraft caught fire," an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.
A court of inquiry has been ordered into the accident.
On Saturday, another MiG-21 trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer district but no loss of life was reported with both the pilots ejecting safely.
The MiG-21 T-69 aircraft, which took off from the Uttarlai airforce station in Barmer, crashed near the airbase.
Ambala Deputy Commissioner Prabhjot Singh, quoting a senior IAF official, said the incident occurred at around 8 pm. "The pilot is safe and has been taken to Army hospital for a check-up," Singh said.