Guwahati, March 6: Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed after a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, officials said on Friday.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Indian Air Force expressed condolences to the families of the deceased officers.
“IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the statement said.
A defence spokesperson in Guwahati said the debris of the aircraft was located early on Friday following an overnight search operation.
Search and rescue teams of the Indian Air Force, assisted by civil administration, police and local villagers, trekked through difficult terrain to reach the crash site.
Officials said the wreckage of the aircraft was located around 1 am.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the crash and an investigation is expected to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.
The Sukhoi-30 MKI is one of the mainstay fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force and is widely deployed for air defence and strategic missions. [KNT]
