Karbi Anglong (Assam), 06 March (HS): Two pilots of the Indian Air Force lost their lives after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in a remote hilly area of Chokihola in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening.

The deceased officers have been identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purbesh Duragkar, who served as the flying navigator of the aircraft. The Indian Air Force confirmed the fatalities through a statement shared on the social media platform X and expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families.

According to official sources, the fighter aircraft had taken off from the Air Force station in Jorhat earlier in the evening. At around 7 pm, the jet lost radar contact while flying over the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong, triggering immediate concern among authorities.

Following the loss of communication, rescue teams from the Air Force launched a search operation to locate the aircraft. Due to the rugged terrain and dense forest cover, it took several hours for the teams to reach the crash site near Rangkhela in the Nilip block of the Chokihola area.

Initial reports from the spot indicated that the aircraft was completely shattered upon impact, with debris scattered across the hillside. During the search operation, the bodies of both Air Force personnel were recovered from the wreckage.

Residents of nearby villages reported hearing a loud explosion around the time of the crash. The powerful sound echoed through the surrounding hills and caused panic among local inhabitants. Some villagers also noticed smoke rising from the hills shortly after the blast.

Security personnel and local police rushed to the area to assist in the rescue efforts. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, and authorities have initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the crash.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash