Five IAF Personnel Killed in AN-32 Aircraft Crash in Jorhat

A tragic accident occurred on the morning of Saturday, June 13, 2026, when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Antonov AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam. The incident, which took place at approximately 10:00 a.m. during a routine training sortie, resulted in the loss of five lives.

Casualties and Identification

The Indian Air Force confirmed that all five personnel on board lost their lives in the line of duty. The deceased have been identified as:

• Squadron Leader Prashant Singh

• Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar

• Sergeant Jitendra Sharma

• Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat

• Agniveervayu Danish Alam

Reports indicate that the co-pilot of the aircraft survived the crash and is currently receiving medical treatment at an IAF facility.

Incident Details and Response

The aircraft, belonging to the IAF’s 43 Squadron, reportedly failed to land on the runway and crashed in an area outside the airstrip, subsequently catching fire. Visuals from the scene showed smoke billowing from the wreckage, which was found broken into pieces.

In response to the tragedy, the airbase was sealed, and emergency firefighting and rescue teams were immediately deployed to manage the crash site.

Investigation Initiated

The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the precise cause of the accident. While some reports have suggested that weather conditions, such as heavy rain and low cloud cover, may have been contributing factors, the IAF has urged the public to refrain from speculation until the preliminary investigation is complete.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have expressed their deep condolences to the bereaved families, honoring the service and sacrifice of the personnel.