In a developing crisis, an Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30MKI disappeared mid-flight over Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. The twin-engine fighter, on a standard operational sortie from Jorhat airbase, dropped off radar at 7:42 PM Thursday, triggering a full-scale search and rescue deployment.
Public Relations Officer for Defense revealed that response teams from the Air Force, alongside other security outfits, rushed to the scene. ‘Contact with the Su-30 aircraft has been lost. Fact-finding teams are dispatched to investigate and confirm details,’ the PRO stated.
The incident unfolded as the jet navigated hilly, jungle-clad regions notorious for signal disruptions. Rescue operations face steep challenges due to the impenetrable foliage and elevation changes, but joint efforts with local authorities are intensifying.
This powerful aircraft forms the backbone of IAF’s combat fleet, integral to national air superiority. While crew details remain unconfirmed, every resource is being harnessed to trace the jet’s whereabouts.
Echoing past events, Assam has witnessed Su-30 incidents before. A 2019 training crash near Tezpur ended with pilots safely ejecting into a rice field. In 2015, another bird went down 36 km south of the base post-takeoff, crew intact after bailout.
The Air Force’s X post underscored the urgency: mission launched, details emerging. As operations continue through the night, the focus stays on locating the asset and ensuring pilot safety. Stay tuned for real-time developments.