Guwahati, March 5 (). A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has gone missing. The aircraft lost radar contact on Thursday while flying over Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Defense officials gave this information.
According to the Defense Public Relations Officer (PRO), the fighter aircraft disappeared from the radar during a routine mission, following which the Air Force and other security agencies immediately responded.
“Radar contact with IAF’s Sukhoi-30 aircraft has been lost. Air Force teams have been sent to ascertain and co-verify the facts,” the PRO said.
Initial reports suggest that the aircraft was flying over the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong district when it suddenly lost communication with ground control.
Search and rescue teams of the Air Force as well as people from the local administration and other security agencies have been deployed to locate the aircraft and verify the exact circumstances of the incident.
Officials said further details about the final destination of the aircraft and the number of people on board are still being ascertained.
Defense establishment sources said the area where radar contact was lost was mostly densely forested and hilly, making search and rescue operations particularly difficult. Rescue teams are working in coordination with the local administration and other security forces to conduct operations in the area.
The Sukhoi-30MKI is one of the frontline multi-role fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force and is an essential part of India’s overall air defense capability.
Officials said that the search operation is still going on and more information will be given once the situation becomes clear.
“An IAF Sukhoi Su-30 MKI has been reported late. The aircraft took off from Jorhat in Assam and was last contacted at 7.42 pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and rescue mission has been launched,” the Indian Air Force posted on its official ‘X’ handle.
Incidents involving Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft have happened before.
In August 2019, an IAF Sukhoi-30MKI crashed in a paddy field near Tezpur in Assam during a routine training mission. Both pilots managed to eject safely and were later rescued.
Earlier in May 2015, another Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft crashed shortly after take-off, about 36 km from Tezpur Air Force Base. Crashed to the south, with both pilots ejecting safely before the crash.
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SCH/DKP