Tragic End : IAF Confirms Deaths Of Two Pilots In Crash Of A Su-30 MKI multi-role fighter Jet In Assam’s Karbi Anglong District

Picture Credit : @IAF_MCC/X – Squadron Leader Anuj

Two pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were killed in a crash of a Su-30 MKI multi-role fighter jet in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. The IAF confirmed the deaths of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, a day after the Russian-origin aircraft went missing.

The jet was on a training sortie and disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Jorhat airbase on Thursday. The IAF headquarters ordered a court of inquiry into the crash.

‘The IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash,’ the IAF said in a brief statement.

Picture Credit : @IAF_MCC/X – Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar

‘All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences, and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,’ it said.

Sukhoi-30 went missing after takeoff
Communication with the aircraft was lost at 7.42 pm on Thursday, officials had said.

At approximately 1 am on Friday, the IAF confirmed that the Su-30MKI which disappeared from radar on Thursday has crashed.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he is ‘deeply saddened’ by the deaths of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Duragkar in the ‘tragic Su-30 crash’.

“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,” he said on social media.