Tragic Loss for Indian Air Force: Sukhoi Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Crashes in Assam

Devastating Incident for the Indian Air Force

Tragic Loss for Indian Air Force: Sukhoi Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Crashes in Assam

New Delhi/Assam, March 6, 2026: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has suffered a significant and tragic loss. A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Thursday night, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. This unfortunate event occurred during a routine training mission.

The IAF has officially confirmed that the aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from the Jorhat airbase. Communication with ground control was lost around 7:42 PM. The jet crashed approximately 60 kilometers away from Jorhat, in the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong.

The deceased pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. The IAF expressed its profound sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The IAF deeply mourns the loss of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who suffered fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. The entire Air Force stands with the grieving families during this difficult time.”

Following the incident, the Indian Air Force promptly initiated a search and rescue operation. By Friday morning, debris from the crash site was confirmed, and news of the pilots' deaths emerged. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident.

The Su-30MKI is a key multi-role fighter jet for the Indian Air Force, originally of Russian design and manufactured under license in India by HAL. It plays a crucial role in air defense, deep strike, and various other critical missions.