An advanced Su-30 MKI multirole fighter aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force crashed in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam on March 5, 2026. The incident occurred during a scheduled training mission after the jet took off from the Jorhat airbase. Officials confirmed that the aircraft lost contact with ground control at 7:42 PM, triggering an immediate search and rescue response in the region.
Timeline of the incident
The aircraft departed from Rowriah Air Force Station in Jorhat for a routine training exercise. According to defense officials, radio contact was lost shortly after the flight began, approximately 60 kilometers from the base. Local residents in the remote Nilip Block reported hearing a massive explosion-like sound between 7:00 PM and 7:45 PM. The crash site was later identified in a hilly forest area near Chokihola village.
Rescue mission and pilot details
The Indian Air Force mobilized emergency teams to locate the flight crew members immediately after the crash. Local police and civilians assisted the search parties in the difficult terrain, reaching the wreckage around midnight. Two pilots were on board the twin-engine aircraft during the mission. Authorities have stated that a Court of Inquiry is being ordered to investigate the technical cause of the accident, while specific updates on the pilots are still awaited.
