Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a routine training mission, the Indian Air Force confirmed on Friday. The pilots were identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar.
The aircraft had taken off from the air force station in Jorhat before losing radar contact on Thursday evening. According to officials, the last communication with the jet was recorded at around 7.42 pm, shortly after take-off, raising immediate concern within the Indian Air Force.
The crash occurred in the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong, roughly 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion in the evening and suspected that an aircraft had gone down in the forested hills nearby. Emergency teams and local authorities later moved towards the suspected crash site to locate the aircraft and assess the situation.
The Indian Air Force acknowledged the loss of the two pilots in a statement, expressing grief over the tragedy. In a message shared on social media, the force said it recognised the sacrifice of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, adding that all personnel stood firmly with their families during this time of grief.
Condolences From Defence Leadership
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two officers. In a message of condolence, he said he was deeply saddened by their deaths and noted that their courage and service to the nation would always be remembered with pride and gratitude.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and stated that the nation stands firmly with them during this difficult hour.
Search Efforts and Eyewitness Accounts
Earlier reports had indicated that the aircraft went missing after suddenly disappearing from radar while flying over Karbi Anglong. Following the loss of contact, search and rescue operations were launched to determine the aircraft’s location and status.
Residents of the nearby area later told officials that they had heard a loud noise followed by an explosion around the time the aircraft disappeared. One local resident said the plane appeared to be descending before the sound of a blast was heard, prompting police and local authorities to rush to the area.
The crash site is believed to be located in difficult hill terrain, making access challenging for initial response teams.
About the Su-30MKI Fighter Jet
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seat, long-range multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by Russia’s Sukhoi design bureau and produced in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
It remains one of the most powerful combat aircraft in the Indian Air Force’s fleet and plays a critical role in air superiority and strike operations. The air force operates more than 200 Su-30MKI aircraft across several bases in the country.
The incident follows earlier accidents involving the same aircraft type. A Sukhoi fighter jet crashed in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in June 2024, while another Su-30 aircraft went down in January 2023 after taking off from the Gwalior airbase.
Further details about the cause of the crash are awaited as authorities continue to gather information about the incident.