Five IAF personnel killed in AN-32 transport aircraft crash at Jorhat Air Base

Mangalore Today News Network

Assam, Jun 13, 2026: Five Indian Air Force personnel have lost their lives after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed at the Roureah Air Force Station in Assam’s Jorhat on Saturday, Indian Air Force officials said.

The co-pilot survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment. “IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief," said the Indian Air Force in a post on X.

What we know about the deceased?

The five deceased include Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.

The AN-32 transport aircraft went down within the premises of the strategically important air base in Upper Assam. The aircraft was reportedly flying from Arunachal Pradesh to Jorhat when the accident occurred.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned to the incident. “Deeply anguished by the loss of five Air Warriors in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam. Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief," said Rajnath Singh.

Following the crash, the Indian Air Force ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Earlier, the IAF had confirmed that an AN-32 aircraft had met with an accident while landing at Jorhat. Emergency response teams were rushed to the site after the crash. Further details are awaited.

Roureah Air Force Station is a key Indian Air Force installation in the Northeast and plays a crucial role in military operations and logistics in the region.

“I could see the tail section of the aircraft and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The plane appeared to be stationary. As I started moving away from the area, there was a massive explosion. The entire area shook from the impact," said a local resident living near the boundary wall of the Air Force Station.

The cause of the crash is not yet known. The AN-32 has been involved in around 22 crashes in India since 1986. The most recent AN-32 crash occurred in 2025. Despite its accident history, the aircraft remains one of the Indian Air Force’s most heavily used transport platforms and continues to play a crucial role in logistics and operational missions across the country.

This comes months after IAF Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed at Inglong Ekopi Hill in Bokajan Sub Division of the Karbi Anglong district during a routine training mission approximately 60 km from Jorhat Air Base.