A tragic crash involving a frontline fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force claimed the lives of two pilots after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI went down during a routine training mission in northeastern India. In addition, the aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat air force station on the evening of 5 March 2026 but lost radar after some time of takeoff.
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As per reports, the twin-seater fighter jet departed from the base at around 7:00 PM IST for training. The air traffic controller reportedly lost control at around 7:42 PM IST, raising concerns about its safety. After some hours, the hut was located in the forested and hilly region of Karbi Anglong district, around 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Locals in the nearby villages say they heard a loud explosion during the evening before authorities confirmed the crash.
Moreover, the two pilots who were on board, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvest Duragkar, were found dead at the crash site. Both of them were experienced serving in the Indian air force and were conducting a routine operational training mission at the time of the accident, as officials described.
In an official statement, the Indian air force confirmed the loss of the aircraft and the pilots, saying it “deeply regrets the loss of two brave air warriors and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.” The force also announced that a court of inquiry has been ordered to examine the cause of the accident.
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Search and recovery teams, including air force personnel, emergency, and local police, were deployed to the crash site overnight. Because of the dense forest terrain and tough access in Karbi Anglong, the operation needed coordinated efforts from several agencies.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is one of the most advanced multirole combat aircraft in India’s fleet and plays a critical role in air defence and strike missions. The aircraft has a strong operational record; authorities will now check whether the technical malfunction, operational facts, or other issues led to the fatal crash.