Jorhat, Assam: An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed and caught fire at the Air Force Station in Assam’s Jorhat on Saturday morning, killing five personnel on board.
According to initial reports, the twin-engine aircraft went down within the Air Force Station premises at approximately 10:00 AM during a routine sortie. The impact of the crash triggered a massive fire. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the site to control the blaze and manage the crash scene.
The Air Force has confirmed five casualties in the mishap. The personnel who lost their lives have been identified as:
- Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh
- Flt Lt Shubham Kumar
- Sgt Jitendra Sharma
- Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat
- Agniveervayu Danish Alam
In an official statement, the IAF expressed deep condolences:
“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.
Investigation Underway
The exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained. The Air Force has launched a formal investigation to determine the technical or environmental factors behind the accident.
Reacting to the tragic incident, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated, “We are aware of the IAF transport aircraft accident in Jorhat. We are awaiting further details.”
About the AN-32 Aircraft
The Antonov AN-32 is a Soviet-origin, twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, often regarded as the “workhorse” of the Indian Air Force. Specifically tailored to meet Indian requirements, the IAF currently operates a fleet of around 100 of these tactical airlifters.
Designed to operate in extreme environments, the AN-32 excels at high-altitude airfields and hot tropical climates. It is capable of transporting up to 7.5 tons of cargo, 50 passengers, or 42 paratroopers, and plays a critical role in air-dropping supplies to remote and inaccessible regions.
