ASSAM: A fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in the northeastern state of Assam on Thursday night while on a routine training mission, officials said.
According to the IAF, the aircraft was a Sukhoi Su-30MKI that had taken off from the Jorhat Air Force Station. The fighter jet reportedly lost radar contact at around 7.42 pm shortly after departure.
“An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated,” the IAF said in a statement.
Later, the Air Force confirmed that the aircraft had crashed in the Karbi Anglong district, about 60 km from Jorhat.
Search and rescue operations were launched in the area to locate the aircraft and the crew. Officials have not yet released details regarding the condition of the pilots.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, two-seater multirole fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and customised for India. The aircraft forms the backbone of the IAF’s fighter fleet, with more than 200 jets currently in service.
Further details about the cause of the crash are awaited, and an investigation is expected to be ordered following the incident.
