Five Killed in IAF AN-32 Transport Aircraft Crash in Indian State of Assam
JORHAT, India — June 13, 2026 — Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed when an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed shortly after take-off and caught fire while attempting an emergency landing at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday morning, June 13, officials confirmed.
The aircraft, a Soviet-era twin-engine turboprop belonging to the 43 Squadron, had taken off from the same airbase at approximately 9:45 a.m. local time for a routine paradrop sortie but returned shortly thereafter due to a reported technical issue .
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During the landing approach, the aircraft veered off the runway, crossed the parallel taxiway, and broke into two pieces before erupting into flames . Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion as the area was engulfed in thick black smoke .
Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the site, and the fire was subsequently brought under control.
Victims Identified
The IAF has identified the personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty :
- Squadron Leader Prashant Singh
- Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar
- Sergeant Jitendra Sharma
- Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat
- Agniveervayu Danish Alam
One survivor — the co-pilot — was rescued from the wreckage and is currently receiving medical treatment . While some initial reports suggested there were no survivors, the IAF has since clarified that six personnel were on board, with five losing their lives and one surviving .
Official Reactions and Investigation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep anguish over the loss of the air warriors.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of five Air Warriors in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam. Their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief,” Singh said in a statement .
The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the accident .
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“Crash site management and initial enquiries are on at this time. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” the IAF posted on social media .
The AN-32: IAF’s Workhorse
The Antonov AN-32 is a rugged, twin-engine tactical transport aircraft that has served as a logistical “workhorse” for the Indian Air Force since its induction in the 1980s . It is specifically designed to operate in extreme environments, including high-altitude airfields along the Himalayan frontier and hot tropical climates .
The IAF currently operates a fleet of approximately 100 of these aircraft . The crash on Saturday marks the third major accident involving the AN-32 in the last decade, contributing to a troubling safety record that has seen at least 42 IAF personnel killed in incidents involving this airframe since 2016 .
SOURCES / INPUTS
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