Karbi Anglong: Two pilots of the Indian Air Force were killed after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI crashed in Karbi Anglong district during a training mission on Thursday evening.
The deceased officers were identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. The fighter jet had taken off from the Jorhat airbase before losing contact with ground control during the flight.
IAF confirms pilots’ deaths
In an official statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths of both pilots and expressed condolences to their families.
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.@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD… pic.twitter.com/zUtfUJ2ewr
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 6, 2026
“The 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 Indian Air Force said in a statement.
Sukhoi-30MKI crash in Assam
According to defence officials, the aircraft lost communication with ground control at around 7.42 pm on Thursday evening. Earlier reports suggested the fighter jet went missing shortly after take-off, triggering search and rescue operations.
The aircraft eventually crashed in a remote area of Karbi Anglong, roughly 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Authorities launched efforts to locate the wreckage and the pilots soon after contact was lost.
Residents living near the Nilip block area of Karbi Anglong said they heard a loud explosion-like sound at around 7 pm, shortly before reports of the crash emerged.
Some images allegedly showing debris from the crash site were also circulated on social media, though officials have not yet verified those visuals.
Su-30MKI fighter jet
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seat multirole, long-range fighter aircraft developed by Russian manufacturer Sukhoi and built in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The Indian Air Force operates a fleet of more than 260 Su-30MKI aircraft.
The aircraft has also been involved in a few accidents in recent years. In June 2024, a Su-30MKI crashed in Nashik district, while another crash occurred in January 2023 after the jet took off from the Gwalior airbase.
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