New Delhi: Five Indian Air Force personnel lost their lives on Saturday morning when an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine sortie at the Air Force Station in Jorhat’s Rowriah, Assam. The co-pilot survived and is being treated.
“The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam,” the Indian Air Force posted on X, confirming the loss of lives.
The IAF has named the deceased: Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam–all of whom made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
In an official statement, the IAF said the accident occurred at approximately 10:00 AM. “IAF requests everyone to refrain from speculation till preliminary results are not in. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” the force said. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted into the accident.
Smoke was seen rising from the crash site as officials initiated rescue operations. Photos and videos from the scene circulated widely on social media shortly after the accident, prompting the IAF’s appeal for restraint. The IAF said further details will be shared as they become available.
About the Aircraft
The AN-32, known in IAF service as the “Sutlej,” is a twin-turboprop military transport aircraft and a longstanding workhorse of the IAF, widely used for logistics and supply missions across the country—particularly in India’s northeast and high-altitude regions.
India bought the AN-32 from the former Soviet Union, though the aircraft were built at the Antonov plant in Ukraine.
The IAF formally inducted the aircraft into its fleet in July 1984, eventually operating a fleet of roughly 125 of the type.