Jorhat: Both occupants of the ill-fated Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet that crashed in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Thursday evening have lost their lives, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed on Friday.
The aircraft had taken off for a routine training mission from Air Force Station Jorhat and lost control with the ground around 7.42 pm. A search operation was launched immediately, Hindustan Times reported.
“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 IAF posted.
In an earlier post, the IAF had written: “The Su-30 MKI, which was on a training mission, crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, approx 60 km from Jorhat. Search operations are underway.”
The cause of the crash has not been ascertained and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to find out more. IAF teams are at the crash site to take away whatever remains of the aircraft.
Soon after the aircraft went off radar, residents of Chokihola in the Bokajan sub-division claimed they heard a loud noise and suspected that a plane may have crashed in a nearby forested area. They got in touch with local officials, who informed the IAF.
The debris was found on a hilltop later in the night. While the remains of one of the officers were found nearby, a search was launched for the other. His body was found thereafter.
The Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs are twin-engined air superiority fighter aircraft operated by the IAF. These aircraft are now manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
The Su-30 MKI is a twin seater aircraft. Apart from the pilot, it can accommodate a navigator/weapons specialist. In this case, Sqn Ldr Anuj was the pilot and Flt Lt Duragkar the navigator.
Officials said that the families have been informed and the mortal remains will be taken back to their respective homes where the final rites would be held with full military honours.
