The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the loss of five personnel in the AN-32 aircraft accident at its Jorhat airbase in Assam and said a court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash on Saturday.
The aircraft met with an accident during a routine sortie at around 10 am, the IAF 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 deceased personnel are Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveer Vayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveer Vayu Danish Alam.
Emergency response teams, including firefighting units, were deployed at the site immediately after the incident.
In an official statement on X, the IAF said, "The Indian Air Force (IAF) deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam.
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.
IAF extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief."
IAF had ordered a court of inquiry after the transport aircraft met with the accident.
Confirming the development, the IAF said in a post on X, "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."
Eyewitnesses said a loud explosion was heard, and the area was engulfed in smoke.
The latest accident comes just months after an Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, killing both pilots on board.
The twin-seat fighter aircraft had taken off on March 5 for a routine sortie from the Jorhat Air Force Station before losing contact with ground control at around 7.42 pm. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a remote hilly area of Karbi Anglong, about 60 km from Jorhat, officials had said.
What is AN-32?
The Antonov AN-32 is a twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft that has long been a mainstay of the Indian Air Force's transport fleet. Developed in the former Soviet Union to meet India's operational requirements, the aircraft is designed to operate in challenging conditions, including high-altitude airfields and hot tropical environments.
Capable of carrying up to 7.5 tonnes of cargo, around 50 passengers or 42 paratroopers, the AN-32 is widely used for troop movement, logistics support and supply missions to remote and difficult-to-access areas.