Guwahati: A Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force lost radar contact on Thursday evening shortly after taking off from Assam’s Jorhat airbase, prompting search and rescue operations for the aircraft and its two pilots, officials said.
The aircraft is reported to have crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, possibly near Nilip Block in Chokihola, a remote mountainous area.
Residents reported hearing a loud explosion around 7 PM that echoed across the hills, sparking panic in nearby settlements. Some witnesses also mentioned seeing smoke rising from the hills soon after the sound.
Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft was a Sukhoi-30, though officials have not yet confirmed the details. The suspected crash site lies deep within forested terrain, making immediate access difficult.
Security forces and emergency teams are expected to conduct search and rescue operations to locate the site and verify the situation.
At present, there is no official word on the condition of the pilots or the aircraft. Authorities continue to gather information, and further updates are awaited once teams reach the area.