Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed and one officer survived after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing at the Indian Air Force’s Roureah Air Force Station in Assam’s Jorhat district on Saturday.
According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the aircraft met with an accident while attempting to land at the strategically important air base. The co-pilot survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment, while the remaining five personnel on board lost their lives.
In a statement, the IAF expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
“The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” the force said in a post on X.
Personnel Who Lost Their Lives Identified
The Air Force identified the personnel killed in the crash as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.
The aircraft was reportedly operating a flight from Arunachal Pradesh to Jorhat when the accident occurred during landing.
Emergency teams were immediately rushed to the site after the crash, and rescue and recovery operations began soon after.
Visuals from the airbase showed the aircraft split into two near the runway, with smoke rising from the wreckage as emergency personnel worked to control the fire.
Court of Inquiry Ordered
The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Officials said an investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident.
The AN-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft widely used by the IAF for logistics, cargo transportation, troop movement and operational support missions, particularly in high-altitude and remote areas.
Second Major IAF Crash in Assam in Months
The crash comes months after another major Indian Air Force accident in Assam. Earlier this year, a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in Karbi Anglong district, around 60 kilometres from Jorhat Air Base, killing two pilots.
Further details regarding Saturday’s crash are expected as the inquiry progresses.
