New Delhi, March 6: A Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed during a routine training mission in Assam. Tragically, both pilots aboard lost their lives. The Indian Air Force confirmed this information.
On Friday morning, the Indian Air Force expressed its condolences on social media platform X, stating, “The Air Force mourns the loss of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Sukhoi-30 crash. All personnel of the Air Force express their deep sympathy and stand firmly with their families during this difficult time.”
Reports indicated that the Sukhoi-30 MKI went missing on Thursday. Initial findings revealed that the aircraft was flying over the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong district when communication with ground control was suddenly lost.
According to a Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO), the fighter jet disappeared from radar during a routine mission. Teams from the Air Force were dispatched to ascertain and verify the facts. The area where radar contact was lost is predominantly dense forest and mountainous terrain. The Indian Air Force later confirmed the aircraft had crashed the following day.
The Sukhoi-30 MKI is one of the frontline multi-role fighter jets of the Indian Air Force and is a crucial component of India’s overall air defense capability.
However, incidents involving the Sukhoi-30 MKI have occurred in the past. In August 2019, a Sukhoi-30 MKI crashed in a rice field near Tezpur, Assam, during a routine training mission. Fortunately, both pilots managed to eject safely and were later rescued.
Earlier, in May 2015, another Sukhoi-30 MKI crashed approximately 36 kilometers south of Tezpur Air Force Base shortly after takeoff, with both pilots safely ejecting before the crash.
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