IAF AN-32 Aircraft Accident in Jorhat Claims Five Personnel

PTI, June 13, 2026, New Delhi: Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, including two officers, were killed when their Russian-origin Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing at Jorhat in Assam on Saturday.

The co-pilot of the aircraft has sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Jorhat, sources said.

Six personnel were on board the plane.

The aircraft met with the accident during a routine sortie at approximately 10 AM, according to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The deceased personnel are: Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.

A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.

"The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam," the force said in a statement.

"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," it said.

The IAF extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and said it "stands firmly" with them in this hour of grief.

The sources said the aircraft lost control upon touchdown and skidded off the runway.

It hurtled across the parallel taxiway, snapping into two segments before being engulfed in flames, they added.

According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the aircraft met with an accident at around 10 am during a routine sortie.

Preliminary information indicates that the AN-32 crashed while approaching the runway for landing and subsequently caught fire within the air base premises.

Emergency response teams were immediately rushed to the crash site.

Firefighting personnel worked to control the blaze while rescue teams carried out search and recovery operations.

Despite the efforts, five personnel onboard lost their lives in the accident.

The co-pilot was rescued from the wreckage and shifted to a medical facility for treatment.

Confirming the incident, the Indian Air Force said in a statement, "An IAF AN-32 aircraft met with an accident during a routine sortie today at approximately 1000h at Jorhat, Assam. Crash site management and initial enquiries are on at this time. IAF requests everyone to refrain from speculation till preliminary results are not in."

Later, the Air Force identified the personnel who lost their lives as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.

Expressing grief over the loss, the IAF said it deeply regrets the deaths of its personnel and stands firmly with their families during this difficult period.

"The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the AN-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam," the force said in a statement.

The Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Officials said crash site management and initial investigations are currently underway, and a detailed examination of the circumstances leading to the crash will be carried out.

The AN-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft that has been a key part of the Indian Air Force's logistics operations for decades.

The aircraft is widely used for troop movement, transportation of supplies and operations in remote and difficult terrain, particularly in the northeastern region and other strategically important areas.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today expressed deep grief over the death of five Indian Air Force personnel who were killed in the AN-32 aircraft crash.

In a message issued following the accident, Singh conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and said the nation stands firmly with them during this difficult time.

Paying tribute to the air warriors, the Defence Minister said their sacrifice in the line of duty would always be remembered with pride and gratitude.

He described their service to the nation as invaluable and expressed solidarity with their loved ones as they cope with the loss.