Two pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were killed after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Karbi Anglong, officials confirmed on Friday. The aircraft went down in a hilly region during a routine training mission, leading to the tragic loss of both officers on board.
In an official statement, the Air Force identified the deceased pilots as Anuj and Purvesh Duragkar. The force expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the officers.
The IAF stated that the two-seater fighter aircraft had taken off from Jorhat and was engaged in a routine training sortie when the accident occurred. According to officials, the aircraft lost radar contact at around 7:42 pm on Thursday, triggering concern among air traffic and operational control teams.
Soon after the aircraft was reported missing, the Air Force declared it “overdue” and launched a search and rescue operation. Multiple teams from the IAF, along with personnel from local authorities and security agencies, were deployed to trace the aircraft in the mountainous terrain of Karbi Anglong, located about 60 kilometres from Jorhat.
Search teams eventually located the crash site in a remote hilly area. Unfortunately, both pilots had sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The Air Force confirmed their deaths while expressing solidarity with their families during the difficult time.
The Sukhoi-30MKI is one of the most advanced and powerful fighter aircraft in India’s combat fleet. It is a twin-engine, multirole air superiority fighter designed for a wide range of missions including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and long-range strike operations.
Following the incident, the Indian Air Force is expected to conduct a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Such investigations typically examine technical factors, operational conditions, and environmental aspects to establish the sequence of events that led to the accident.
