Two Air Force Pilots Dead In Sukhoi Su-30 Crash In Assam

Two pilots of the Indian Air Force were killed after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Sonitpur district during a routine operation, officials confirmed. The aircraft had earlier gone missing before authorities located the wreckage in a forested area, prompting a large-scale search and rescue effort.

According to defence officials, the twin-engine fighter jet had taken off for a scheduled sortie when contact with ground control was lost. Soon after communication was disrupted, the Indian Air Force initiated emergency procedures and began search operations to trace the aircraft and its crew.

Rescue teams, including air force personnel and local authorities, were deployed to the suspected crash site after preliminary inputs indicated that the jet had gone down in a remote forested region. The difficult terrain and dense vegetation initially made it challenging for teams to access the exact location of the wreckage.

Also Read: Missing IAF Sukhoi Su-30 Fighter Jet Crashes In Assam

Officials later confirmed that both pilots on board the aircraft died in the crash. Their identities were not immediately disclosed, as the authorities were in the process of informing their families and completing necessary formalities.

The Su-30MKI is one of the frontline multirole fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force fleet. Developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and produced in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the aircraft plays a key role in India’s air defence and combat operations.

Military aircraft incidents are typically followed by a detailed investigation to determine the cause. Defence officials said a court of inquiry is likely to be ordered to examine factors such as possible technical malfunction, operational conditions and other circumstances that may have contributed to the crash.

The Indian Air Force conducts routine training sorties across the country to maintain operational readiness. While such accidents are relatively rare, they are treated with seriousness due to the strategic importance of the aircraft and the highly trained personnel involved.

Authorities said further details regarding the crash are expected to emerge after investigators analyse the wreckage and review flight data. The focus for now remains on completing rescue procedures and conducting a thorough inquiry into the incident.

Also Read: Missing IAF Sukhoi Su-30 Fighter Jet Crashes In Assam