A routine training mission of the Indian Air Force ended in tragedy after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, killing both pilots on board. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat Air Base on Thursday evening but lost contact with ground control shortly after takeoff.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the crash on Friday after rescue teams traced the wreckage to a remote hill area around 60 kilometres from Jorhat. The incident has raised fresh concerns over aviation safety following several aircraft accidents reported across India in recent weeks.
The twin-engine fighter jet carried two pilots, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. Both officers died in the crash, the Air Force later confirmed.
IAF Sukhoi Su-30 Crash: Sukhoi Lost Contact at 7:42 PM
According to defence officials, the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft departed from Jorhat Air Base for a routine training sortie. Everything appeared normal during the early phase of the flight.
However, ground control suddenly lost communication with the aircraft around 7:42 pm. Soon after, the jet disappeared from radar screens.
Air Force authorities immediately declared the aircraft missing and launched a search and rescue operation to locate the fighter jet and its crew. Teams from the Indian Air Force, local administration, and security forces began scanning remote forested areas in Karbi Anglong.
IAF Sukhoi Su-30 Crash: 2 Pilots on Board Killed- Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar
Two fighter pilots were flying the aircraft at the time of the incident, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. Both officers belonged to the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30MKI squadron based at Jorhat and were performing a standard training exercise when the accident occurred.
After hours of uncertainty, the Indian Air Force confirmed on Friday that both pilots had died in the crash.
“All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the IAF said in a tweet.
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.@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD… pic.twitter.com/zUtfUJ2ewr
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 6, 2026
Their deaths represent a significant loss for the Air Force, as fighter pilots undergo years of intensive training to operate advanced combat aircraft.
IAF Sukhoi Su-30 Crash: ‘Loud explosion’ in Karbi Anglong
As search teams looked for the missing aircraft, residents in Karbi Anglong reported hearing a powerful explosion in the hilly region.
Local villagers told authorities they heard a loud noise in the evening, followed by smoke rising from the hills.
“We heard a loud noise and an explosion…,” news agency ANI quoted the local as saying.
These eyewitness reports helped rescue teams narrow down the possible crash location. The Air Force later confirmed that the Sukhoi-30MKI had indeed crashed in the Karbi Anglong district.
The wreckage was found in a difficult-to-access hill area, making rescue operations challenging.
IAF Sukhoi Su-30 Crash: What is Sukhoi-30MKI?
The Sukhoi-30MKI is one of the most powerful fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force fleet. The aircraft is a twin-seat, multi-role fighter jet designed by Russian aerospace manufacturer Sukhoi and customised for India.
India manufactures many of these aircraft locally through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under licence. The fighter jet can perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and long-range strike operations.
India currently operates one of the largest fleets of Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft in the world, with more than 260 jets in service. The aircraft forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat strength and plays a crucial role in protecting the country’s airspace.
IAF Sukhoi Su-30 Crash: Recent Aviation Accidents in India
The Sukhoi crash comes amid a series of aviation incidents reported in India in recent weeks.
Last month, an air ambulance crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district shortly after taking off from Ranchi. Earlier in January, a Learjet-45 aircraft crashed in Baramati in Maharashtra, killing several people, including a close relative of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
While investigations will determine the exact cause of the Sukhoi crash, the accident highlights the risks involved in operating high-performance military aircraft during demanding training missions.
The Indian Air Force is expected to launch a detailed inquiry to determine what exactly went wrong before the fighter jet went down.
