Missing IAF Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashes 60 km from Assam’s Jorhat after take-off; search for pilot under way

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening, triggering an urgent search operation for the missing pilot. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat Air Force Station for a routine training sortie before the incident occurred.

According to officials, the aircraft lost contact with ground control shortly after take-off, raising immediate concern within the Air Force. Communication with the jet was last recorded at around 7:42 pm, after which it went off radar.

In a brief statement on social media, the IAF said: “An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated.”

The Su-30MKI which was on a training mission, crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, approx 60 km from Jorhat. Search operations are underway.@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India@adgpi@indiannavy https://t.co/64Ii5V2fiZ

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 5, 2026

Search operation launched

Search and rescue teams were quickly deployed to the region after the aircraft disappeared from radar. Defence officials said the crash occurred in the Karbi Anglong area, roughly 60 kilometres from Jorhat.

Authorities are now combing the forested terrain in the district to locate the pilot and determine the circumstances behind the crash. As of now, officials have not released details about the condition of the pilot or the exact cause of the incident.

Local residents reportedly heard a loud explosion around the time the aircraft vanished, though authorities are still verifying these accounts as part of the investigation.

One of IAF’s most advanced fighter jets

The Su-30MKI is one of the Indian Air Force’s most capable fighter aircraft and forms the backbone of India’s combat fleet. The twin-seat multirole jet, developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and produced in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is designed for long-range missions and can carry a wide range of advanced weapons and missiles.