An Indian Air Force pilot was killed after a MiG-21 Bison aircraft crashed in Punjab's Moga district, officials said on Friday. 

The aircraft was on a routine sortie from Suratgarh when it crashed near a village in Moga, they said. 

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident which took place late Thursday night. 

“There was an aircraft accident last night involving a Bison aircraft of IAF in the western sector,” the Indian Air Force (said in a tweet. 

The pilot, Sqn Ldr Abhinav Choudhary, sustained fatal injuries.       

“IAF condoles the tragic loss and stands firmly with the bereaved family. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” it said.