Indian fighter jet goes missing in Assam: Indian media

Indian Air Force, defence ministry have not yet confirmed whether the aircraft has crashed

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet went missing from radar on Thursday while performing a sortie in the northeastern state of Assam, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation, Indian media reported.

The Indian Air Force and the Indian defence ministry have not yet confirmed whether the aircraft has crashed. However, the defence public relations officer in Guwahati stated that the aircraft went missing from radar, losing contact around 7pm during a routine mission over the Karbi Anglong district.

🔺🇮🇳❌ 🇨🇳:
An Indian Su-30MKI jet crashed in Assam, near the Chinese disputed border. Sources say it crashed due to Chinese EW. pic.twitter.com/cQELKZTNTW

— Tactical Tribune (@TacticalTribun) March 5, 2026

According to Indian media, some local reports indicated that residents heard a loud explosion, raising concerns that the aircraft may have crashed. Authorities said the pilot of the aircraft remained unaccounted for, and search and rescue teams had been deployed to locate the jet and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In June 2024, a Sukhoi Su-30MKI went missing in Maharashtra’s Nashik district during a test flight. The aircraft later crashed near Shirasgaon village in Nifad tehsil, though both the pilot and co-pilot managed to eject safely.

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According to the Indian Air Force, the jet in the Nashik incident had been undergoing flight testing following an overhaul and crashed due to a technical malfunction. The pilot, Wing Commander Bokil, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited hospital for treatment.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet.

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With a range of around 3,000 kilometres and the capability to fire the BrahMos cruise missile, the Su-30MKI plays a key role in India’s air superiority and strike operations.

The Indian Air Force currently operates around 270 Su-30MKI aircraft and is planning a major modernisation programme known as “Super Sukhoi”, which aims to upgrade the jets with AESA radar, improved avionics, advanced electronic warfare systems and enhanced weapon systems.