News Desk: A frontline fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force — a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI — went missing on Thursday evening shortly after taking off from Jorhat, creating concern within defence circles in Assam.
According to the Defence Public Relations Officer in Tezpur, contact with the aircraft was lost at around 7:42 PM.
Pilot Yet to Be Located
The incident is believed to have occurred near Chokihola, situated along the border of Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts. Early speculation suggested that the pilot might be safe, but the latest official information indicates that no confirmed trace has been found so far.
Details emerging from the area suggest the following:
- Possible crash site: The aircraft is suspected to have gone down in a remote and densely forested hilly region under Nilip Block.
- Difficult conditions: Thick forests and darkness during the night have made it challenging for rescue teams to access the area.
- Eyewitness accounts: Some residents of Chokihola said they heard a loud explosion around 7 PM, hinting at the seriousness of the incident.
Search and Rescue Operation
The Indian Air Force has launched a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission to locate the missing aircraft and the pilot. The operation is being carried out with urgency, and advanced technology is being used in the search.
The Chokihola Police and the civil administration are also assisting the Air Force in the ongoing efforts.
Officials from the Defence Department said all standard procedures are being followed to determine the aircraft’s exact location and its condition. As the Su-30 MKI plays a key role in safeguarding India’s airspace in the Northeast, the matter is being handled with serious attention.
Public Advisory
Authorities have urged people not to spread rumours or rely on unverified information. Since the rescue operation is still underway, the public has been asked to depend only on official and confirmed updates.