Jorhat (Assam): Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed and another injured after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday morning.
According to the Indian Air Force, the aircraft met with the accident during a routine sortie at around 10 a.m. "Crash site management and initial enquiries are on at this time," the IAF said in a statement, adding that it "deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief."
The aircraft reportedly crashed within the premises of the airbase and caught fire after impact. India Today reported that the aircraft was engulfed in flames soon after the mishap, prompting an immediate response from emergency crews stationed at the base. The publication said the incident occurred as the aircraft was landing at the air station.
Hindustan Times, quoting official sources, reported that the AN-32 "split into two" following the crash landing. The newspaper added that fire-fighting teams and rescue personnel were rushed to the scene to bring the blaze under control and assist the occupants.
The Indian Air Force later confirmed that five personnel had lost their lives in the accident. The Times of India identified the deceased as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. The report said one crew member, believed to be the co-pilot, survived and was receiving medical treatment.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolences over the tragedy, while the IAF announced that a Court of Inquiry had been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
The Antonov AN-32, a twin-engine military transport aircraft of Soviet origin, has served as one of the Indian Air Force's primary tactical transport platforms for decades. It is extensively used for transporting personnel, equipment and supplies to remote and high-altitude regions across the country.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and investigators are expected to examine flight records, maintenance history and eyewitness accounts as part of the inquiry.
13/06/2026
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