Tragedy struck the Indian Air Force as two pilots lost their lives when a Sukhoi Su‑30MKI fighter jet crashed during a training mission in the northeastern state of Assam. The aircraft part of India’s frontline multirole combat fleet had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening but radar contact was lost shortly thereafter sparking an immediate search and rescue operation.
The wreckage was later discovered in a remote hilly area of Karbi Anglong district roughly 60 kilometers from the base. Both crew members Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar were found dead at the scene. The IAF expressed deep sorrow over the incident extending condolences to the families of the fallen pilots and calling it a tragic accident during a routine sortie.
Assam’s Chief Minister also voiced grief over the loss emphasizing that the entire state stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. Investigators have launched a full-scale probe to determine the cause of the crash examining both mechanical factors and flight conditions.
The Su‑30MKI a Russian origin twin seat fighter plays a critical role in India’s air defense and has occasionally been involved in accidents during training missions highlighting the inherent dangers faced by military aviators even in peacetime operations. This incident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with maintaining operational readiness as the Indian Air Force continues to train and prepare its pilots for national defense.
