The Indian Air Force (IAF) is deeply saddened by the demise of two officers who perished in the crash of a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet in Assam. On March 5, 2026, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar lost their lives when the plane crashed during a training exercise in the Karbi Anglong area.
The Incident: Timeline of Events
The fighter aircraft Su-30MKI, which is considered the mainstay of the Indian fighter fleet, took off from the Jorhat Airbase in Assam on Thursday evening for the training flight.
Ground control lost radar and radio contact with the aircraft at 7:42 PM on March 5. The locals living in the Bokajan sub-division of Karbi Anglong reported hearing a loud bang and a giant fireball in the hilly terrain near the Nilip block. The IAF launched a Search and Rescue operation without delay. Given the dense forest and very difficult mountainous terrain, the search had to be continued overnight with the help and cooperation of the local police and the civil administration. The wreckage was found on the morning of Friday, March 6, at a location about 60 km from Jorhat. According to the IAF, both pilots succumbed to injuries as a result of the crash.
The Fallen Heroes
The IAF officially acknowledged the loss of the two officers on Friday morning and conveyed hearty sympathies to the grieving families.
- Squadron Leader Anuj: Anuj was a seasoned pilot who had been with a fighter squadron for a long time. He had a reputation for being highly skilled technically and was renowned as a great leader at the wing level.
- Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar: A dedicated young officer full of enthusiasm for the service and a highly talented pilot who was on his way to becoming one of our best. His service record showed how bravely he took on the dangerous tasks of frontline combat.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his grief, stating that the nation stands firmly with the families of the fallen officers and that their service would be remembered with “pride and gratitude.”
About the Su-30MKI
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is the backbone of the Indian Air Forces fighter fleet. Designed by Sukhoi of Russia and produced under the license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. It is a twin-engine, two-seater multirole jet that can carry out various missions like in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack and in all-weather. The IAF currently has over 260 Su-30MKI aircraft in operation. Although it is a very efficient aircraft, the recent incident adds to the series of occasional crashes of the fleet during the last few years, for example, the ones in Nashik (2024) and Gwalior (2023).
Next Steps: Investigation & Recovery
A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been set up by the Indian Air Force to find out the exact reason behind the accident. The investigators will explore the following aspects:
- Technical Failure: Analysis of the flight data recorder (black box) will be done to understand if there were any engine or structural failures.
- Environmental Factors: The meteorological situation and visibility in the Karbi Anglong hills at the time of the accident will be examined.
- Human Factors: Pilot’s actions and mission details will be scrutinized to understand the last moments of flight.
The rescue team is still at the crash site working to retrieve the wreckage which will be used for forensic analysis.
