Two Indian Air Force pilots killed in Su-30 MKI fighter jet crash in Assam

Mangalore Today News Network

Assam, Mar 6, 2026: Two personnel of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday.

In a post on X on Friday, the IAF’s Media Coordination Centre confirmed the deaths of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

“All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the post said.

According to the IAF, the Su-30MKI aircraft was on a training mission when it crashed in the Karbi Anglong area, about 60 km from Jorhat.

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

Earlier, officials said the aircraft had gone missing shortly after taking off from the Jorhat airbase. Communication with the Russian-origin fighter jet was lost at around 7:42 pm.

The Su-30MKI is a two-seater, multirole long-range fighter aircraft developed by Russian manufacturer Sukhoi and produced under licence in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the IAF.

The IAF operates a fleet of more than 260 Su-30MKI jets. In recent years, a Sukhoi fighter jet crashed in Maharashtra’s Nashik district in June 2024, while another Su-30 aircraft crashed after taking off from the Gwalior airbase in January 2023.