The incident occurred while the aircraft was landing at the IAF's airbase in the Rowriah area. Representational image: Screengrab/ANI

Five IAF personnel killed as AN-32 transport aircraft crashes at Assam's Jorhat airbase

An Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft crashed during landing at the Rowriah airbase in Assam's Jorhat district. Casualty details are yet to be confirmed

The Federal
13 Jun 2026 11:57 AM IST (Updated:2026-06-13 09:28:53)

Five personnel of the Indian Air Force have died after the AN-32 transport plane they were travelling in crashed at the Jorhat air base in Assam during landing on Saturday (June 13).

IAF confirms fatalities

"The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam. Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty," stated the IAF in a post on X.

"IAF extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief," it added.

The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam.Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.… pic.twitter.com/9SmOjtS5mU
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 13, 2026

According to a report in ANI quoting IAF officials, the co-pilot has survived and is being provided treatment. The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the crash.

Crash during landing

The incident occurred while the aircraft was landing at the IAF's airbase in the Rowriah area. Senior IAF officials have rushed to the area.

Rescue and firefighting teams were rushed to the crash site shortly after the incident. The exact reason behind the crash has not yet been determined.

Also Read: Two IAF pilots killed in Su-30 MKI plane crash in Assam's Karbi Anglong

Earlier in the day, the IAF said additional information would be shared once a detailed assessment is completed.

"We are aware of the IAF transport aircraft accident in Jorhat. We are awaiting further details," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said as quoted by NDTV.

Aircraft's operational role

The Antonov AN-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft that forms a key part of the IAF's transport fleet. Developed in the Soviet Union to meet India's operational requirements, nearly 100 AN-32 aircraft remain in service with the force.

Also Read: IAF's Tejas fighter jet crashes during Dubai Air Show; pilot dies

Built for operations in challenging conditions, the aircraft is capable of flying from high-altitude bases as well as regions with extreme temperatures. It can carry up to 7.5 tonnes of cargo, around 50 personnel, or 42 paratroopers, and is regularly deployed for logistical missions in remote and inaccessible areas.

Earlier crash

The incident comes a few months after an IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, killing both pilots on board.

The fighter jet had taken off from the Jorhat Air Force Station on March 5 for a routine training mission. Communication with ground authorities was lost at approximately 7.42 pm, following which the aircraft went off radar, officials said. It was later found to have crashed in a remote hilly region of Karbi Anglong, around 60 kilometres from Jorhat.

Indian Air Force (IAF)