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Two pilots from the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost their lives after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, according to reports from NDTV citing officials. The IAF confirmed on Friday that the jet, engaged in a training mission, went down in northeastern India.
“During a training exercise, the Su-30MKI crashed near Karbi Anglong, approximately 60 kilometers from Jorhat,” the Air Force announced on X. The aircraft disappeared shortly after taking off from Jorhat Airbase, with contact lost at 7:42 PM. The crash took place in a remote, hilly region of Assam’s Karbi Anglong.
The pilots onboard, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, have been identified as deceased. The IAF extended heartfelt condolences and expressed support to their families during this tragic time. Witnesses in the area reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing a fireball in the sky.
India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his deep sorrow over the pilots’ deaths, calling the incident tragic. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a long-range, twin-seat fighter developed by Russia and produced under license in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It has been part of the Indian Air Force since 1997, with over 260 units currently in service.
Similar crashes have occurred in recent years, including an incident in Nashik, Maharashtra, in June 2024, and another in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in January 2023, shortly after takeoff.
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