A Nigerian fighter jet taking part in military operations in neighboring Mali has crashed in Niger, and its two pilots have been killed, a Nigerien army official announced.
The fighter jet was part of the Nigerian air fleet attached to a West African regional force, which is participating in the French-led war against Malian fighters.
The Nigerien official said the jet crashed due to a "mechanical" problem.
Nigerian army spokesman Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru confirmed that it was a Nigerian Air Force jet, but did not elaborate on the incident.
The two deaths were the first casualties in the Mali war for Nigerian troops, which form the largest contingent in the 6,000-strong African force to Mali.
French and Chadian planes and US drones have used the Niamey airport as a base for their operations in Mali.
France launched a war in Mali on January 11, 2013 under the pretext of halting the advance of rebel fighters in the country.
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