The Sukhoi Su-30MKI had departed from the Jorhat Air Force Station on Thursday evening before communication with ground control was suddenly lost.

Two pilots of the Indian Air Force — Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar — lost their lives after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI crashed during a training sortie in the Karbi Anglong district.

The Air Force confirmed that both officers suffered fatal injuries in the accident and expressed deep condolences to their families. In an official statement, the force said it mourns the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Duragkar and stands in solidarity with their loved ones during this difficult time. 🙏

The fighter aircraft had taken off from Jorhat Air Force Station on Thursday evening for a routine mission but soon lost communication with ground control. Defence sources said the last contact with the jet was recorded at around 7:42 pm.

Earlier, the Air Force had reported that the aircraft was “overdue” after taking off from Jorhat and confirmed that search and rescue operations were immediately launched to locate the jet and its crew.

The aircraft eventually crashed in the Karbi Anglong region, located roughly 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Initial reports suggested the jet had gone missing shortly after departure, prompting extensive search efforts.

Residents in the area said they heard a loud explosion-like sound near a remote hilly region close to the Nilip block at around 7 pm. Images believed to be from the crash site also circulated on social media, though they were not immediately verified.

A local resident told ANI that people in the area saw the aircraft descending before the loud blast. He added that police teams from the Chowki Wala police station arrived at the location and that helicopters were being used to assist in the search operation.

The Su-30MKI is a twin-seat, long-range multirole fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence for the Indian Air Force.

India currently operates a fleet of more than 260 Su-30MKI aircraft. Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, including crashes in Nashik district in June 2024 and near Gwalior in January 2023 shortly after take-off.

Two pilots of the Indian Air Force were killed after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI crashed during a routine training mission in Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening. The deceased officers have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar.

The Air Force confirmed the tragic loss in an official statement, saying both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The force expressed deep condolences to their families and said all personnel stand with the bereaved relatives during this difficult time. 🙏

According to defence officials, the aircraft had taken off from Jorhat Air Force Station for a routine sortie. However, communication with the jet was lost at around 7:42 pm, prompting immediate concern among air traffic controllers and defence authorities.

Soon after the aircraft went missing, the Air Force launched a search-and-rescue operation involving helicopters and ground teams to locate the fighter jet and its crew. The wreckage was later found in a remote and hilly region of Karbi Anglong, approximately 60 kilometres from Jorhat.

Local residents in nearby villages reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound around 7 pm. Some said they saw the aircraft descending rapidly before the blast occurred in the hills near the Nilip block area. Police and emergency teams from nearby stations rushed to the site soon after the incident.

Officials said the crash occurred during a training mission, though the exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined. An investigation has been ordered, and a court of inquiry is expected to examine possible technical failure, weather conditions, or other operational factors that may have led to the crash.

The Su-30MKI is a twin-seat, long-range multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and produced in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft is considered one of the most powerful fighters in the Indian Air Force’s fleet and plays a key role in India’s air defence and strike capabilities.

India currently operates more than 260 Su-30MKI jets across several airbases. Despite its advanced capabilities, the aircraft has been involved in a few accidents in recent years. A Su-30MKI crashed in Nashik district in June 2024 during a test flight, while another crash occurred near Gwalior in January 2023 shortly after take-off.

Authorities are continuing recovery operations at the crash site, and further details are expected after the completion of the investigation.