A Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, killing two officers, including Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Durugkar, a resident of Nagpur district. The incident occurred during a routine training mission on March 5, 2026, according to information received at the district control room.
The aircraft, one of the IAF’s frontline fighter jets, reportedly lost contact with ground control while flying over the dense forest and hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong. Shortly after the jet went missing from radar, search and rescue teams were deployed to locate the aircraft.
Later, officials confirmed that both pilots on board — Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Durugkar — lost their lives in the crash.
Flight Lieutenant Durugkar had studied at DSA Academy in Shahapur in neighbouring Bhandara district and was known to be a promising young officer. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2022 and had earlier been associated with the Prahari cadet programme.
The news of his death reached his family in Nagpur late on Wednesday, leaving relatives and well-wishers in deep shock and grief. Friends and acquaintances remembered him as a dedicated officer who had chosen to serve the nation through the armed forces.
The Sukhoi-30MKI is among the most advanced multirole fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force fleet and is frequently used for operational duties and training exercises. The exact cause of the crash has not yet been officially disclosed, and authorities are expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.
The tragic loss of the two officers has drawn condolences from across the region, with many paying tribute to Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Durugkar for his service and sacrifice in the line of duty.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com