Indian fighter jet crashes in Assam during training mission, IAF confirms
Photo: Reuters
An Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su‑30MKI fighter jet crashed in the northeastern Indian state of Assam on Thursday during a training mission, killing both pilots, the service said on Friday. The incident occurred in the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong district, about 60 km from the air force base at Jorhat.
In a post on X, the Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, saying both “sustained fatal injuries in the Su‑30 crash.” The statement added that “all personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”
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
According to NDTV, the aircraft had taken off from the air base in Jorhat before going down in the hilly Karbi Anglong district during a routine training sortie.
Reports said teams from the Indian Air Force and local authorities were involved in search operations to locate the wreckage and determine the condition of the crew.
“The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, which was on a training mission crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, approximately 60 km from Jorhat,” the Indian Air Force said in a post on X.
The Su-30MKI which was on a training mission, crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, approx 60 km from Jorhat. Search operations are underway.@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India@adgpi@indiannavy https://t.co/64Ii5V2fiZ
Early reports on Thursday described the Su‑30MKI as missing from radar contact shortly after take‑off, prompting search operations. Some local residents in Karbi Anglong reported hearing a loud sound around the same time, leading to concerns the jet may have crashed.
The Su‑30MKI is a twin‑seat, twin‑engine multirole fighter jet developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and produced under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. It forms a key part of India’s combat fleet.
The Times of India reported that the Su-30MKI lost contact shortly after taking off from Jorhat air base, prompting a search operation in the region.
According to earlier media reports, the Indian Air Force and defence ministry had not initially confirmed whether the aircraft had crashed, after it went missing from radar during a routine sortie on Thursday. Search and rescue teams were deployed to locate the jet and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Su‑30MKI loss in Assam is the first confirmed Su‑30 crash of 2026 but follows a series of incidents involving fighter jets in the Indian fleet over recent years. The aircraft’s safety record has generally been considered better than many older combat platforms, though accidents have occurred sporadically since the jet was inducted in the early 2000s.