The pilot of an Indian combat plane has died after the aircraft crashed during a demonstration flight for spectators at the Dubai Air Show.

The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat aircraft used in the Indian Air Force, crashed on Friday afternoon after the pilot had flown across the site of the biennial air show in Dubai several times.

The plane appeared to lose control and dive directly towards the ground just before crashing inside the grounds of the airfield.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the crash and said "the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident".

"IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief," it said, adding that "a court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident".

Black smoke rose over the

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