The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed that five of its personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed in Jorhat, in the northeastern state of Assam, during a routine training sortie on Saturday morning (13 June).
According to an official statement issued by the IAF, the incident occurred at approximately 10:00 local time while the aircraft was undertaking a regular take-off operation from the Jorhat Air Force Station. Following the crash, rescue and investigation teams were immediately deployed to the site to carry out emergency response operations and begin an initial assessment of the incident.
The deceased personnel have been identified as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, and two Agniveervayu personnel, Khemaram Kumawat and Danish Alam.
The Indian Air Force expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its personnel, stating that the sacrifice of those who died in the line of duty will be remembered with respect by the nation. Condolences were also extended to the bereaved families.
Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft crashed within the air station premises during landing operations. A fire broke out immediately after the impact. Emergency services, including rescue and firefighting teams, were deployed promptly to contain the blaze and assess the situation.
The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The Indian Air Force has launched a formal investigation into the incident.
Following the accident, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the government was aware of the crash involving the Air Force transport aircraft at Jorhat and that authorities were awaiting further details.
The AN-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft widely used by the Indian Air Force for transport and logistical operations, particularly in difficult terrain and high-altitude regions. It was originally designed in the former Soviet Union and adapted to meet India’s operational requirements. The IAF currently operates a fleet of approximately 100 AN-32 aircraft.
This is not the first aviation accident in the region. A few months earlier, an Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam during a routine sortie from the Jorhat Air Force Station, resulting in the deaths of two pilots.
Incident Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Jorhat Air Force Station, Assam |
| Aircraft | AN-32 transport aircraft |
| Date & Time | Saturday, around 10:00 local time |
| Fatalities | 5 personnel |
| Rank of deceased | Squadron Leader, Flight Lieutenant, Sergeant, two Agniveervayu personnel |
| Operation type | Routine training sortie |
| Immediate response | Rescue and investigation teams deployed |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Official statement | Indian Air Force expressed condolences |
| Additional note | Aircraft reportedly crashed within air station premises during landing |
The Indian Air Force has initiated a formal investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the crash, while recovery and assessment operations were carried out at the site shortly after the incident.
