The Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI that went missing on Thursday evening after departing from Jorhat, Assam, has been located in the Karbi Anglong district. Authorities have confirmed that the aircraft crashed, resulting in the tragic loss of both pilots on board
IAF confirmed that Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
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
According to the IAF, the Su-30MKI was on a training mission when the incident happened. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat and was last in contact at 7:42 pm.
A search and rescue operation was launched to trace the aircraft soon after the incident.
The Su-30MKI which was on a training mission, crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, approx 60 km from Jorhat. Search operations are underway.@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India@adgpi@indiannavy https://t.co/64Ii5V2fiZ
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 5, 2026
Reportedly, a loud explosion-like sound was heard from a remote area near Nilip block in Karbi Anglong district around 7 pm. However, then there was no confirmation of the crash involving the aircraft.
The Indian Air Force, which maintains a formidable fleet of over 260 Su-30MKI fighters, has recorded several losses in recent years. This latest incident follows a crash in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in June 2024, and another in January 2023 involving an aircraft that had departed from the Gwalior airbase.
