Five killed as Indian Air Force cargo plane crashes in Assam

Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed on Saturday after an Antonov AN-32 military transport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Rowriah Air Force Station in Assam.

The aircraft, operated by the IAF’s 43 Squadron, was conducting a routine cargo mission when the accident occurred at about 10 a.m. local time near Jorhat in northeastern India.

Witnesses in the area reported hearing a loud explosion moments before thick black smoke was seen rising from the airbase, prompting an immediate emergency response from military authorities.

In a statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths of five crew members, describing them as personnel who made the “supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.”

Those killed were identified as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.

The Air Force also confirmed that the aircraft’s co-pilot survived the crash and was rescued from the wreckage. He is currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility.

Emergency teams, including firefighters and medical personnel, were deployed to the crash site shortly after the incident. Images from the scene showed significant damage to the aircraft, with parts of the fuselage broken apart as rescue and recovery operations continued.

The Indian Air Force said a formal investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

“An IAF AN-32 aircraft met with an accident while landing at Jorhat. A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the Air Force said in a statement.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators examine evidence from the crash site, including aircraft maintenance records and operational data.

The Antonov AN-32 has been a key component of India’s military transport fleet for decades, serving in cargo transport, troop movement, humanitarian missions, and logistical operations across the country. Designed to operate in challenging environments, the twin-engine turboprop aircraft is widely used for missions in mountainous and remote regions.

The crash comes as India continues efforts to modernise its transport fleet with newer aircraft platforms, including the Airbus C-295.

Military officials expressed condolences to the families of the deceased personnel and pledged full support to their loved ones as investigations into the incident continue.