Five Indian Air Force personnel lost their lives after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed at the Roureah Air Force Station in Assam's Jorhat on Saturday, Indian Air Force officials said.
The co-pilot survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment. “IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief," said the Indian Air Force in a post on X.
In a post on its official X handle, the IAF said, "The Indian Air Force 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."
The AN-32 transport aircraft crashed within the premises of the strategically important air base in Upper Assam. According to reports, the aircraft was flying from Arunachal Pradesh to Jorhat when the accident took place.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the loss of lives following the crash. “Deeply anguished by the loss of five Air Warriors 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. Their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief," said Rajnath Singh.
Following the incident, the Indian Air Force ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the crash.
Roureah Air Force Station is a key Indian Air Force installation in the Northeast and plays a crucial role in military operations and logistics in the region.
Earlier, the IAF had confirmed that an AN-32 aircraft had met with an accident while landing at Jorhat. Emergency response teams were immediately rushed to the site.
