Two Indian Air Force pilots, Squadron Leader Anuj and Lieutenant Commander Purvesh Duragkar, were killed in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet crash in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.
The aircraft, which was on a training mission, crashed around 60 km from the Jorhat air base, from where it had taken off on Thursday evening.
The Indian Air Force on Friday confirmed the sad news in an X post, saying, “IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash.”
“All IAF personnel express their sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family at this time of grief,” they added.
A defense spokesperson in Guwahati told PTI that the wreckage of the aircraft was located early Friday morning.
An IAF search and rescue team assisted by civil and police administration and villagers reached the spot and found the debris around 1 am, the official said.
Officials said the plane went missing shortly after take off from the Jorhat Air Base. Communication with the Russian-origin aircraft was lost at 7:42 p.m., they said.
Locals reported a loud explosion
Local residents of Karbi Anglong reported hearing a loud explosion after the Sukhoi-30 crashed. According to an ANI report, locals were seen using torches and lights during the search.
Local residents who saw the plane crash last night told ANI that they heard a loud noise followed by an explosion. “Police from Chowki Wala Police Station have arrived. They are searching from a helicopter…”
About the Su-30MKI jet
The Su-30MKI is a two-seat long-range multirole combat aircraft developed by the Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi. It is now built under license by HAL for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The IAF operates a fleet of more than 260 Su-30MKI aircraft.
A Sukhoi fighter jet crashed in Nashik district of Maharashtra in June 2024. Another Sukhoi-30 jet crashed in January 2023 after taking off from Gwalior Air Base.
