Five dead after Indian Air Force transport plane crashes in remote northeast

Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed Saturday when a Russian-made An-32 transport plane crashed while attempting to land at Jorhat airbase in the remote northeastern state of Assam. The military confirmed the fatalities in a statement, expressing deep regret and extending condolences to the families of the deceased.

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The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat

While the air force statement focused on the loss, an official speaking anonymously to AFP revealed that the co-pilot had survived the crash. News channel NDTV broadcast images depicting the wreckage, with the aircraft apparently broken into pieces and a thick plume of black smoke rising from the site.

The An-32, a twin-engine turboprop known for its performance in extreme climates and high altitudes, is a workhorse for the Indian Air Force, used for transporting military supplies and civilian aid. The air force operates around 100 of these aircraft. The statement noted that the plane was on a "routine sortie" when the accident occurred. A court of inquiry has been constituted to investigate the cause of the crash.

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The Indian Air Force extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief

This incident follows other recent aircraft losses for the Indian Air Force. In March, an Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam during a training mission. Earlier in February, a HAL Tejas light combat aircraft overshot a runway at a frontline airbase, marking the third loss of a Tejas aircraft since its induction.

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A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident