Two Indian Air Force Pilots Killed After Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Crashes in Assam

Assam | 6 March 2026 Two pilots of the Indian Air Force lost their lives after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed during a training mission in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. The pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening before the tragic incident occurred. Confirming the deaths of the officers, the Indian Air Force released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss. The IAF said, “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.” According to defence officials, communication with the Russian-origin fighter jet was lost at around 7.42 pm shortly after it took off from the Jorhat airbase. The aircraft later crashed in Karbi Anglong district, located nearly 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound near a remote hill area close to the Nilip block around the same time, after which search and rescue teams were deployed to locate the aircraft and the pilots. The Su-30MKI is a two-seater long-range multirole fighter jet developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and produced in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. The IAF currently operates more than 260 Su-30MKI aircraft. Similar incidents involving the fighter jet have occurred in the past, including crashes in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in June 2024 and near the Gwalior airbase in January Two Indian Air Force Pilots Killed After Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Crashes in Assam Two pilots of the Indian Air Force lost their lives after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed during a training mission in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. The pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening before the tragic incident occurred. Confirming the deaths of the officers, the Indian Air Force released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss. The IAF said, “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.” According to defence officials, communication with the Russian-origin fighter jet was lost at around 7.42 pm shortly after it took off from the Jorhat airbase. The aircraft later crashed in Karbi Anglong district, located nearly 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound near a remote hill area close to the Nilip block around the same time, after which search and rescue teams were deployed to locate the aircraft and the pilots. The Su-30MKI is a two-seater long-range multirole fighter jet developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and produced in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. The IAF currently operates more than 260 Su-30MKI aircraft. Similar incidents involving the fighter jet have occurred in the past, including crashes in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in June 2024 and near the Gwalior airbase in January 2023.