An Indian Air Force fighter aircraft, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, has gone missing after losing contact with ground control shortly after taking off from Jorhat, Assam on Thursday evening. Search and rescue operations have been launched to locate the aircraft and the two pilots who were on board.
According to defence officials, the jet was last in communication with ground control at around 7:42 pm before it disappeared from radar screens.
“The aircraft had two pilots on board and there has been no contact with them so far. Search operations have been launched to locate both the aircraft and the pilots,” an official from the Indian Air Force (IAF) said on condition of anonymity.
Explosion-Like Sound Reported In Karbi Anglong Hills
Around the same time, residents reportedly heard a loud explosion-like sound from a remote hill area near the Nilip block in Karbi Anglong district in Assam at approximately 7 pm.
Some unverified images allegedly showing a crash site have also been circulating on social media platforms. However, authorities have not confirmed whether the sound heard in the area is connected to the missing fighter jet.
Security forces and rescue teams have since moved into the hilly and forested terrain to verify the reports and trace the aircraft.
IAF Confirms Aircraft ‘Overdue’
In an official statement posted on its social media platform X, the Indian Air Force confirmed that the aircraft had been reported overdue.
“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 statement said.
Officials added that the suspected location is remote and difficult to access, which could make the ongoing search operation challenging.
Key Aircraft In India’s Air Defence Fleet
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is among the Indian Air Force’s most advanced and powerful multirole fighter aircraft. Developed through collaboration between India and Russia, it forms a crucial component of India’s air defence and strike capabilities.
Capable of performing air superiority missions, ground attacks, and long-range operations, the aircraft is widely deployed across several key airbases in the country.
Search Efforts Continue
Search teams comprising security personnel and specialised rescue units have been deployed to comb the region where the aircraft may have gone down. Authorities said more information will be available once the teams reach the suspected site and assess the situation.
For now, officials are working to determine the exact circumstances behind the aircraft going missing and the status of the crew members.