Two pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a training mission.
In an official statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths and expressed condolences to the families of the pilots. “The IAF acknowledges the loss of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant 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 families during this difficult time,” the statement said.
According to defence officials, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening but soon lost contact with ground control. The last communication with the Russian-origin fighter jet was recorded at around 7:42 pm.
Earlier, the IAF reported that the aircraft was overdue and confirmed that a search and rescue operation had been launched. “An IAF Su-30MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam, and was last in contact at 7:42 pm. Further details are being ascertained. A search and rescue mission has been initiated,” the Air Force said.
The aircraft later crashed in the Karbi Anglong district, located about 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Initial reports suggested that the jet went missing shortly after take-off, prompting an immediate search operation to locate the aircraft and the two pilots.
Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound near a remote hill area close to the Nilip block in Karbi Anglong at around 7 pm. Some unverified images believed to be from the crash site were also circulated on social media.
Speaking to ANI, a local resident said they witnessed the aircraft going down. “We heard a loud noise and an explosion. Police from the Chowkiwala police station are present here and search operations are being carried out with the help of helicopters,” he said.
The Su-30MKI is a two-seater, long-range multirole fighter jet developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and produced in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force.
The IAF currently operates a fleet of more than 260 Su-30MKI aircraft. Similar incidents involving the fighter jet have occurred in the past, including a crash in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in June 2024 and another in January 2023 shortly after take-off from the Gwalior airbase.
