Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were martyred after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing at an air base in Assam's Jorhat on Saturday. The co-pilot survived the accident and is currently undergoing medical treatment, according to Air Force officials.
The aircraft reportedly caught fire after landing within the air base premises. Emergency response teams, including firefighters, were immediately deployed to the site to contain the blaze and carry out rescue operations.
In an official statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths of five personnel onboard the aircraft. The deceased have been identified as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.
The Air Force expressed its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash. "The Indian Air Force extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief," the statement said.
The co-pilot, who survived the accident, was rescued from the wreckage and is receiving treatment. No further details regarding his condition were immediately available.
Following the incident, senior IAF officials reached the crash site to oversee response efforts and assess the situation. Authorities have not yet disclosed the circumstances that led to the accident.
To determine the cause of the crash, the Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry. The investigation will examine the sequence of events leading up to the accident and assess any technical, operational, or environmental factors that may have contributed to it.
The AN-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force for logistics, troop movement, and supply missions, particularly in challenging terrains and high-altitude regions.
Further details are expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.
Sources: India Today
