Five IAF personnel killed after an AN-32 aircraft crashes at Jorhat airbase in Assam

Five Indian Air Force personnel lost their lives after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during landing at the Jorhat airbase in Assam on Saturday, IAF officials said. The co-pilot survived the accident and is receiving medical treatment.

The aircraft met with the accident while landing at the airbase in Jorhat, triggering an emergency response and firefighting operations within the military facility. Senior IAF officials rushed to the site following the crash.ID:131701640

Also read: IAF AN-32 aircraft crashes at Assam air base; five killed, inquiry ordered


In a statement posted on X, the Indian Air Force said: "An IAF An-32 aircraft met with an accident during a routine sortie today at approximately 1000h at Jorhat, Assam. Crash site management and initial enquiries are on at this time. IAF requests everyone to refrain from speculation till preliminary results are not in."

The force added, "IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief. IAF will share more details as they are in."

AN-32's role in IAF operations

The AN-32 is a twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed to operate in high-altitude regions and extreme weather conditions.

The Indian Air Force operates around 100 aircraft of the type, which are widely used for logistics missions, troop movement, humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief operations, particularly in remote and mountainous areas.

The crash is the latest in a series of accidents involving IAF aircraft in recent years. In 2019, an AN-32 crashed in Arunachal Pradesh near the India-China border, killing all 13 personnel on board after the aircraft went missing during a transport mission.

Earlier this year, in March, an IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed during a training mission in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, around 60 km from Jorhat.

The crash claimed the lives of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, following which the Air Force launched an investigation.