Two IAF Pilots Killed After Sukhoi-30MKI Fighter Jet Crashes in Assam’s Karbi Anglong During Training Mission !
Prime Vista News
Two Indian Air Force pilots lost their lives after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed near Chokihola in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a training mission. Communication with the aircraft was lost shortly after takeoff from Jorhat airbase.
Two pilots of the Indian Air Force were killed after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed during a training mission in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. The incident occurred near Chokihola, about 60 kilometres south of Jorhat, according to officials.
The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase before it went missing during the mission.
Pilots Killed in the Crash
The Indian Air Force confirmed that Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
In a post issued on Friday morning, the force confirmed the deaths of both pilots who were flying the two-seater fighter jet at the time of the incident.
Aircraft Went Missing After Takeoff
Officials said the Sukhoi-30MKI lost communication shortly after taking off from the Jorhat airbase.
Contact with the aircraft was lost at 7.42 pm, following which the fighter jet went missing. Authorities said the jet eventually crashed near Chokihola in Karbi Anglong district, around 60 kilometres south of Jorhat.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the crash of the Russian-origin fighter aircraft at 1 am on Friday.
Investigation Team Formed
Following the loss of communication, the Indian Air Force constituted a team to ascertain the circumstances that led to the crash.
Officials had said on Thursday that the team would look into the sequence of events after contact with the aircraft was lost during the mission.
About the Sukhoi-30MKI Fighter Jet
The Su-30MKI is a two-seater, multi-role, long-range fighter aircraft developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi.
The aircraft is currently built in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force.
Key Details of Su-30MKI Fleet
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Type | Multi-role long-range fighter jet |
| Seating | Two-seater |
| Developer | Sukhoi (Russia) |
| Manufacturer in India | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) |
| Fleet Strength in IAF | Over 260 aircraft |
The Sukhoi-30MKI forms one of the most important components of the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet.
Previous Sukhoi-30 Crashes
The latest crash adds to previous incidents involving the same aircraft platform.
- A Sukhoi fighter aircraft crashed in Nashik district of Maharashtra in June 2024.
- Another Sukhoi-30 jet crashed in January 2023 after taking off from the Gwalior airbase.
The Indian Air Force continues to operate more than 260 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, making it one of the largest fleets of the aircraft in the world.
