Five killed after IAF transport aircraft crashes in Assam’s Jorhat airbase
GUWAHATI, JUNE 13 : Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed after a transport aircraft skidded off the runway and caught fire while landing at the Air Force Station in Assam’s Jorhat on Saturday morning, officials said.
The incident occurred while the aircraft, An-32, belonging to 43 Squadron, carrying cargo, was landing at the IAF’s airbase in the Rowriah area.
The aircraft had taken off from the same air base earlier in the day but returned shortly after developing a technical issue.
“The aircraft experienced some technical problem after taking off and came back. While taxiing after landing, it skidded off the track, and the mishap (fire) occurred,” a defence spokesman told TNIE.
“The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel. Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” the IAF said in a post on X.
“IAF extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief,” the post further read.
Visuals from the site showed the plane split into two. Eyewitnesses said a loud explosion was heard, and the area was engulfed in smoke.
The aircraft experienced some technical problem after taking off and came back.
IAF transport aircraft crash in Assam’s Jorhat airbase draws back attention to An-32 fleet’s safety record
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mourned the loss of lives.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of five Air Warriors in the An-32 accident,” Singh posted on X.
He said the five personnel made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, and their courage and service to the nation would always be remembered with pride and gratitude. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
Assam CM Sarma posted, “…I offer my thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. The Government of Assam is in touch with the concerned authorities and is ready to offer any support and assistance.”
Meanwhile, the IAF ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the An-32 transport aircraft crash. In a post on X, IAF wrote, “An IAF An-32 aircraft met with an accident today while landing at Jorhat. A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
Notably, the An-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft that has been extensively used by the Indian Air Force for logistics, cargo transportation and operational support missions across diverse terrains, including high-altitude and remote regions.
-PTI
