In a tragic accident on Saturday morning, five Indian Air Force personnel lost their lives when an Antonov An-32 transport aircraft met with an accident while landing at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam. The Indian Air Force has confirmed the fatalities and stated that a Court of Inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed within the airbase premises during its landing approach at the Rowriah airfield. It sustained substantial damage and subsequently caught fire. Emergency response teams, including firefighting and rescue units, were immediately deployed. Senior IAF officers rushed to the site to oversee operations. The fire was brought under control, and initial crash site management measures were initiated promptly.
The Indian Air Force has identified the personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty as:
- Squadron Leader Prashant Singh
- Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar
- Sergeant Jitendra Sharma
- Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat
- Agniveervayu Danish Alam
In an official statement, the IAF expressed deep regret over the loss of lives and conveyed solidarity with the bereaved families. “The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam. Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” the statement read.
The IAF further stated: “An IAF An-32 aircraft met with an accident today while landing at Jorhat. A Court of Inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.” Initial enquiries and crash site investigations are underway.
The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engine turboprop transport aircraft that has served as a versatile workhorse of the Indian Air Force for decades. Designed for operations in challenging environments, including high-altitude airfields and hot tropical conditions, the aircraft is used extensively for tactical airlift, cargo transportation (up to 7.5 tonnes), troop movement, supply drops in remote and forward areas, and paratrooping missions. The IAF operates a significant fleet of these rugged aircraft, which play a critical role in logistics support across India’s northeastern region and other difficult terrains.
The Jorhat Air Force Station (Rowriah) is a strategically important base under the Eastern Air Command. It supports a range of operational, training, and logistical missions in the Northeast, including sustainment of forward airfields and advanced landing grounds in Arunachal Pradesh and other border areas.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged the incident and stated that the state government was awaiting further details.
This unfortunate accident comes months after another IAF aircraft incident in the region — the crash of a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district in March 2026, which claimed the lives of two pilots. However, each incident is being investigated independently on its merits.
The Indian Air Force has assured that a thorough and professional investigation through the Court of Inquiry will examine all aspects of the accident, including flight parameters, maintenance history, weather conditions, and procedural factors, to determine the exact cause and recommend necessary measures.
The defence community and the nation mourn the loss of these brave air warriors who laid down their lives in service of the country. Their sacrifice underscores the inherent risks undertaken by IAF personnel in maintaining operational readiness and supporting national security, particularly in demanding operational environments.
Further updates on the investigation and funeral arrangements for the deceased personnel are awaited. The IAF stands firmly with the families of the fallen during this period of profound grief.
