An Indian Air Force's fighter jet Thursday crashed in the northern state of Haryana, a senior defense official said.

However, the pilot of the twin engine Jaguar combat aircraft escaped unhurt by ejecting just before the crash in a village near the state's Panipat town, the official said, on condition of anonymity.

The mishap happened shortly after the fighter jet took off from the Ambala air base for a routine sortie, he said, adding a probe has been ordered into the incident.

The Jaguar, which is of Anglo-French origin, has been in use for the last 30 years.