An Indian Air Force jet, on a routine sortie crashed near Ambala on Thursday.

The pilot managed to escape safely.

The aircraft crashed in fields near Sadhopur village, officials said.

Ambala Deputy Commissioner O P Langyan said pilot D V Nair used his parachute to bail out and was taken to the military hospital.

The jet had taken off from the Ambala airbase for a routine sortie when it crashed, the officials said.

The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the reason for the crash.