In a tragic incident, a Su-30 MKI jet of the Indian Air Force crashed in Karbi Anglong district in Assam this evening. As per reports, the jet crashed at around 7 pm in Rangkhelan village near Nilip block of Chakihola. The fighter had launched from Rowriah Air Force base in Jorhat.
The accident occurred in the hills with a loud noise heard by the locals. It is suspected that the fighter jet hit a tall peak in the hill district. As per a statement issued by Defence PRO in Guwahati, the jet went missing after radar contact with it was lost. Air Force teams were launched to ascertain the facts and locate the aircraft.
One Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft missing from radar contact. Airforce team launched to ascertain the facts: Defence PRO, Guwahati pic.twitter.com/Mm3ZooWvD0
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026
In a statement on X, the Indian Air Force said that an IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue, and the aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm. “Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated,” they added.
An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 5, 2026
Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated.@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India@adgpi@Indiannavy
Residents of the area said that they saw the fighter jet crashing on the hilltop in the evening. The jet exploded on impact, and they saw a massive fireball erupting from the crash site.
Local police, along with civilians from the area, had already started climbing up the hill to reach the crash site at the hilltop. The site is at the peak of the tall hill, and it is difficult to reach. However, by midnight, they managed to reach the crash site and locate the wreckage.
As per photos of the wreckage, the crashed fighter carried the serial number SB 175. As per social media posts, the pilot didn’t survive, but confirmation is awaited.
