Air Force’s Sukhoi fighter jet crashes in Assam : 2 pilots killed

Guwahati (Assam) – India’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet crashed in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Two pilots were killed in the accident. Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar are the names of the pilots who died.

IAF fighter jet crashes in Assam; 2 pilots killed. 🇮🇳✈️

Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar made the supreme sacrifice after their Sukhoi aircraft crashed during a mission in Assam's Karbi Anglong.

Why do such fighter jet crashes continue to occur in India even during… pic.twitter.com/ZrpzRdZlUM

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 6, 2026

According to the Indian Air Force, the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet was on a training mission; however, sometime after take-off, the aircraft suddenly lost contact with radar. Thereafter, the aircraft crashed in the Karbi Anglong district, located about 60 km from Jorhat in Assam. What exactly caused the loss of radar contact and what led to the crash of the aircraft will be investigated.

In June 2024, a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft had crashed near Shirasgaon village in Niphad taluka of Nashik district in Maharashtra; however, the pilot and co-pilot had successfully ejected and survived.

IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences, and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.@DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD… pic.twitter.com/zUtfUJ2ewr

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 6, 2026