Two Indian Air Force Pilots Killed in Sukhoi Su-30MKI Crash in Assam

New Delhi, March 6, 2026 — In a tragic development for the Indian Air Force (IAF), two pilots have been confirmed dead following the crash of a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

The Indian Air Force officially confirmed the fatalities on Friday morning, identifying the deceased officers as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. Both officers sustained fatal injuries when the aircraft, which was on a routine training mission, went down on Thursday evening.

The Incident Timeline

The Su-30MKI fighter jet had departed from the Jorhat Air Force Station on Thursday, March 5, 2026. According to defence officials, the aircraft lost contact with ground radar shortly after takeoff, with the last logged communication occurring at approximately 7:42 PM.

Following the loss of radar contact, an urgent search and rescue operation was launched by the IAF, in close coordination with local civil authorities and the police. The wreckage of the aircraft was located in a hilly, forested region of the Karbi Anglong district, roughly 60 kilometres from the Jorhat airbase.

Search and Recovery

Local residents in the Chokihola area reported hearing a loud noise and an explosion on Thursday evening, which assisted search teams in narrowing down the crash site. Search and rescue personnel trekked to the remote, difficult terrain overnight to secure the area and recover the pilots.

In a statement released on social media, the Indian Air Force expressed deep grief over the loss:

“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.”

About the Aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twin-seat, multirole, long-range fighter jet. A cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s frontline combat fleet, it is developed by the Russian manufacturer Sukhoi and produced under license in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The IAF operates a significant fleet of these aircraft, which are heavily relied upon for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.