Indian Air Force has initiated an intensive Search and Rescue (SAR) mission, following an incident where a frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft was deemed “overdue” during a routine sortie in Assam on Thursday evening.
The Disappearance
According to the IAF, the twin-engine multirole fighter took off from the Jorhat air base for a planned training mission. The aircraft was last in contact with ground control at around 7:42 PM. Radar contact was lost while the jet was flying over the rugged, dense forest-covered terrain of the Karbi Anglong district.
Search and Rescue Operations
Following the loss of communication, the IAF initiated its emergency procedures. Specialist search teams, that included helicopters as well as ground operators, have been deployed at the last known coordinates of the aircraft.
- IAF statement: “An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7:42 PM. Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated.”
- Local Reports of Loud Explosion: Residents of the Chokihola area of Bokajan sub-division have reportedly informed local authorities of hearing a “loud explosion” and seeing smoke rising from a forested ridge. Defence personnel said however they were verifying these reports and had not seen the crash site confirmed officially.
Challenges in the Mission
The search area is known for a thick canopy and unpredictable climate, and the terrain of Karbi Anglong is rugged and mountainous. As night went down, the mission turned into a high-stakes electronic and aerial sweep in search of any emergency signals from the aircraft’s cockpit or pilot survival kits. Until the latest update came out, the status of the two pilots on board is unknown.
Strategic Importance
The Su-30MKI is the core element of the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet, tailored with sophisticated Israeli, French, and Indian avionics. Assam's Jorhat and Tezpur bases serve as crucial strategic and critical operations areas from which air operations in the Northeast can take place, as they keep a continuous presence in the border regions.
