A fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong District in Assam after losing radar contact shortly after take-off from Jorhat on Thursday evening. Both pilots on board the aircraft lost their lives in the incident.
According to the IAF, the aircraft involved was a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet that had taken off on a routine training mission. The two pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar.
Aircraft Lost Radar Contact During Training Mission
The fighter jet reportedly lost contact with the control station at around 7:42 pm on Thursday, shortly after taking off from Jorhat. Following the loss of radar contact, the Indian Air Force immediately launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing aircraft.
In a statement posted on social media, the Air Force confirmed the deaths of both pilots and expressed condolences to their families.
“All personnel of the Indian Air Force express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” the statement said.
Explosion Heard by Local Residents
Around the time the aircraft disappeared from radar, residents of villages near the Nilip block in Karbi Anglong reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound from the nearby hills. The sound reportedly echoed across the mountainous region, and some locals claimed they saw smoke rising from the direction of the forested hills shortly afterward.
Authorities later confirmed that the crash occurred approximately 60 kilometres from Jorhat in a remote and heavily forested part of the district.
Debris and Human Remains Recovered
On Friday, search teams located wreckage of the fighter jet in the rugged hill terrain. Officials also recovered human body parts from the crash site, confirming that both pilots had died in the accident.
Rescue and recovery teams faced significant challenges due to the difficult terrain, dense forests, and limited accessibility of the crash location. Operations continued as teams worked to reach the exact point of impact and recover the remaining debris.
Sukhoi-30MKI: Backbone of India’s Air Defence
The Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet is one of the most advanced and powerful aircraft in the Indian Air Force’s fleet. Developed through a collaboration between India and Russia, the multi-role fighter jet is capable of conducting long-range missions and performing both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat operations.
It plays a critical role in strengthening India’s frontline air defence capabilities and is widely regarded as a backbone of the IAF’s combat strength.
Investigation Ordered
Officials said a detailed investigation will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the crash. A court of inquiry is expected to examine technical, operational, and environmental factors that may have contributed to the accident.
Further information about the incident is likely to emerge as authorities complete the recovery process and analyse the aircraft’s systems and flight data.
