National
IAF Investigates Cause of AN-32 Mishap in Northeast India
An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft was involved in an accident while landing in Assam’s Jorhat district on Saturday. The Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the incident, while further details are awaited.
In a tragic incident, five personnel of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were killed when a Russian-origin AN-32 transport aircraft crashed in Assam’s Jorhat district on Saturday.
According to the Air Force, the accident occurred at around 10 am while the aircraft was undertaking a routine sortie. The AN-32 met with an accident during the course of its operations, leading to the loss of all five personnel on board.
In an official statement, the IAF expressed profound grief over the tragedy.
“The Indian Air Force (IAF) deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat,” the force said.
The identities of the deceased personnel had not been officially disclosed at the time of reporting, pending the completion of formal procedures and notification of their families..
Earlier in the day, the Air Force had confirmed that the aircraft had met with an accident while operating from Jorhat, one of the IAF’s key bases in the northeastern region. Following the crash, rescue and recovery teams were immediately mobilised to the site.
The AN-32 is a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft that has served as a crucial component of the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet for decades. Designed for operations in difficult terrains and challenging weather conditions, it has been widely used for troop transport, logistics support, humanitarian missions, and supply operations in remote and high-altitude areas.
The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. The inquiry will examine all aspects of the incident, including technical, operational, and environmental factors that may have contributed to the crash.
The loss has cast a shadow over the defence community, with tributes expected from military leaders and public officials recognising the service and sacrifice of the personnel who died in the line of duty.
As investigations continue, the nation mourns the untimely demise of the five air warriors who dedicated their lives to safeguarding the country’s interests.
