NEWS DESK (MNN); The Indian Air Force said on Friday that one of its Su-30MKI fighter jets crashed in the northeastern Indian state of Assam while on a routine training mission.
According to the air force, the aircraft went down in the Karbi Anglong area, located about 60 kilometres from Jorhat in Assam.
“The Su-30MKI which was on a training mission crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, approximately 60km from Jorhat,” the Indian Air Force said in a post on X, adding that search and rescue operations had been launched.
Earlier, the air force had reported that the aircraft was overdue after it failed to return or make contact at the expected time. The fighter jet had taken off from Jorhat at 7:42pm local time on Thursday.
“An IAF Su-30MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7:42pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and rescue mission has been initiated,” the air force said in an earlier statement.
The crash is the latest in a series of incidents involving Indian Air Force fighter jets in recent months.
About 10 days ago, the air force lost a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Tejas light combat aircraft after it overshot the runway at a frontline airbase, causing serious damage to the aircraft.
In November last year, another Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show, killing the pilot after the aircraft struck the ground and burst into flames. (UPDATED)
An Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force has been reported missing after it failed to return or establish contact at the expected time following takeoff from the northeastern Indian state of Assam.
According to a statement posted by the Indian Air Force on X, the aircraft took off from Jorhat at 7:42pm local time but later lost communication.
“An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and rescue mission has been initiated,” the statement said.
Authorities have launched a search and rescue operation to locate the aircraft and determine the circumstances surrounding the loss of contact.
The latest incident comes amid a series of recent aviation mishaps involving the Indian Air Force.
About ten days earlier, the air force lost an indigenously developed HAL Tejas light combat aircraft after it overshot the runway at a frontline airbase, causing severe damage to its airframe.
In another incident in November last year, a Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show.
Eyewitnesses reported a massive fireball immediately after the aircraft struck the ground, with thick black smoke rising from the crash site. The pilot was killed in the accident.
