Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed on Thursday night after a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet crashed in the remote hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong district in Assam. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on a routine training mission before contact was lost, triggering an immediate search and rescue operation.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the identities of the deceased as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. “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,” the Air Force said in a post on X on Friday morning.
How the Crash Unfolded
The Su-30 MKI took off from the Jorhat airbase, located approximately 60 kilometres from the crash site, for what was described as a training sortie. Communication with the aircraft was lost at 7.42 in the evening. The jet subsequently crashed in a remote hilly area in Karbi Anglong, well away from any populated settlement.
Local residents in the area said they heard a loud explosion coming from a nearby hill and saw a ball of fire in the sky shortly after. Authorities launched a search and rescue mission as soon as reports emerged of a possible crash.
Rajnath Singh Pays Tribute to the Fallen Pilots
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his grief over the tragedy and paid tribute to the two officers. “Their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude,” he posted on X, adding that the nation stands firmly with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.
About the Su-30 MKI
The Su-30 MKI is a twin-seater, long-range fighter jet originally developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi. It was first inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1997 and is now manufactured under licence in India by state-run aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The IAF currently operates a fleet of over 260 such aircraft, making it one of the backbone platforms of India’s air combat capability.
This is not the first time the aircraft type has been involved in a fatal incident. A Sukhoi Su-30 crashed in Maharashtra’s Nashik in June 2024, and another went down near the Gwalior airbase in Madhya Pradesh in January 2023. The causes of those earlier crashes had been separately investigated by the Air Force.
