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March 6, 2026, Karbi Anglong : A routine training mission turned into a tragedy for the Indian Air Force when a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in the remote hills of Karbi Anglong district in Assam. The incident, which occurred late Thursday evening, has resulted in the loss of two promising officers who were on board the twin-engine aircraft.
The fighter jet had originally taken off from the Jorhat air base for a scheduled sortie. According to officials, ground control lost radar contact with the aircraft at approximately 7:42 pm. When the jet failed to return or establish communication, it was declared overdue, prompting an immediate and large-scale search and rescue operation involving both aerial assets and ground teams.
Local residents in the Chokihola area of the Bokajan subdivision reported hearing a deafening explosion and seeing a flash of fire in the nearby forested hills during the night. These accounts helped search teams narrow down the location of the wreckage, which was eventually found about 60 kilometers from the Jorhat base.
The Indian Air Force later identified the deceased pilots as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. Both officers sustained fatal injuries during the impact. The wreckage was discovered in a difficult, hilly terrain, which made the initial recovery efforts challenging for the rescue personnel and local authorities who reached the site in the early hours of Friday.
A formal investigation is expected to be conducted to determine the exact cause of the crash, whether it was due to technical failure or environmental factors. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI remains a cornerstone of India’s aerial defense, and this incident marks a somber moment for the aviation community. The families of the fallen pilots have been notified, and the entire force has expressed deep grief over the loss of their colleagues.
