IAF Confirms Death of Two Pilots in Su-30 Crash in Assam

Two pilots of the Indian Air Force were killed after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed in a remote area of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening, officials confirmed.

In an official statement, the Air Force said the pilots — Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar — suffered fatal injuries in the accident.

“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 families in this time of grief,” the statement said.

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 aircraft, a Sukhoi Su-30MKI, reportedly went down in a rugged hilly stretch near Nilip Block under the Chokihola area in Karbi Anglong. According to preliminary reports, the fighter jet had taken off earlier in the day from an airbase in Jorhat before the incident occurred.

Residents of nearby villages said they heard a powerful explosion-like sound echoing through the hills shortly after dusk, around 7 pm. The sudden noise alarmed many locals, who stepped outside their homes to see what had happened.

Several villagers later reported spotting thick smoke rising from the direction of the hills, suggesting that an aircraft might have crashed in the area. However, the difficult terrain and the remoteness of the location prevented them from reaching the suspected crash site immediately.

Initial information indicates that the aircraft may have lost radar contact before the crash. Following the incident, rescue and search teams of the Air Force were dispatched to the region to locate the wreckage and assess the situation.

The suspected crash site lies deep within a mountainous and forested zone of Karbi Anglong, posing significant challenges for rescue personnel trying to access the area.

Earlier, Mahendra Rawat, Public Relations Officer (Defence) in Guwahati, said efforts were underway to gather details and confirm the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Air Force later confirmed that both pilots involved in the incident had died.

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