Training Mission Ends in Tragedy
Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed on Friday when a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed during a training mission in the northeastern state of Assam. The aircraft went down in a remote, hilly area of the Karbi Anglong district, approximately 60 kilometers from its departure point at the Jorhat airbase.
Loss of Communication and Fatal Impact
According to official statements from the IAF, the Russian-origin twin-seat aircraft lost communication with ground control at 7:42 PM local time, shortly after takeoff. A search operation confirmed the crash. Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion and witnessing a fireball, indicating the severity of the impact.
Pilots Identified, Condolences Pour In
The IAF identified the deceased officers as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. In a post on social media platform X, the Air Force expressed its sincere condolences, stating personnel “stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.” India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic loss.
History of the Su-30MKI Fleet
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a mainstay of the Indian Air Force. Developed by Russia’s Sukhoi, it is manufactured under license in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). First inducted in 1997, the IAF currently operates a fleet of over 260 of these long-range fighter aircraft. This incident adds to a list of previous crashes involving the type, including one in Nashik in June 2024 and another near Gwalior in January 2023.
An investigation into the cause of the latest crash is expected to be initiated by the Indian Air Force.
