News Desk: A pall of grief has descended over Karbi Anglong district of Assam after an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in the region. The aircraft, which had earlier gone missing from the skies of Northeast India, was officially confirmed by the Air Force on Friday (IAF Su-30MKI crash).
According to available information, the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft was on a routine training mission when contact was lost, and the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. The aircraft crashed in a remote and rugged hilly area of Karbi Anglong, located about 60 kilometres from Jorhat Air Force Station. The tragic incident has left the entire country mourning the loss.
What Happened After the Su-30MKI Took Off from Jorhat
On Thursday evening, the powerful two-seater Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet took off from Jorhat Air Force Station for a routine training sortie. Initially, everything appeared normal. However, communication with the aircraft was suddenly lost.
The last contact with the cockpit was recorded at around 7:42 pm. When the aircraft failed to return to the base within the expected time, the Indian Air Force declared the jet missing and immediately launched a search and rescue operation across the region.
In its first statement on social media, the Indian Air Force said:
“An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7:42pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and rescue mission has been initiated.”
Eyewitnesses Report Explosion in Karbi Anglong Hills
As search operations intensified, important information began emerging from local residents in Karbi Anglong district. Villagers from the Chokihola area under Bokajan subdivision reported hearing a loud explosion in the hills.
Shortly afterwards, they noticed flames and thick black smoke rising from a forested patch deep inside the hills, suggesting that the missing aircraft had crashed there.
Confirming the crash later, the Indian Air Force posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Su-30MKI which was on a training mission, crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, approximately 60km from Jorhat.”
IAF Confirms Death of Two Pilots
According to the latest updates from rescue teams, both pilots onboard the Su-30MKI fighter jet tragically lost their lives in the crash. The Indian Air Force expressed deep sorrow over the loss and paid tribute to Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar.
In an official message shared on Facebook and X, the Air Force said:
“IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences, and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”
Recent Fighter Jet Incidents Raise Concerns
The Su-30MKI crash in Karbi Anglong has also drawn attention to recent incidents involving Indian Air Force fighter aircraft.
A few days earlier, a Tejas fighter jet reportedly skidded off the runway and suffered serious damage. In another incident in November, a Tejas aircraft crashed during a display at the Dubai Air Show, resulting in the death of a pilot.
About the Sukhoi Su-30MKI Fighter Aircraft
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is considered the backbone of India’s air defence capability and is one of the most powerful fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force fleet.
The aircraft is a twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter jet designed by Russia’s JSC Sukhoi. Following a major defence agreement signed in 2000 to manufacture 140 aircraft, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) began producing the Su-30MKI in India under license.
The first batch of Russian-built aircraft entered service in 2002, while the first aircraft assembled in India joined the Indian Air Force in November 2004. As of January 2020, the Indian Air Force operated around 260 Su-30MKI fighter jets.
Despite its advanced technology and combat capabilities, more than 14 Su-30MKI aircraft have been involved in accidents in different parts of the country over the years.
Authorities have now ordered a high-level investigation to determine the exact cause behind the Su-30MKI crash in the remote hills of Karbi Anglong district in Assam.