Jorhat: Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel lost their lives after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine sortie at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam today.
According to the IAF, the aircraft met with an accident at approximately 1000 hours while undertaking a routine mission. The co-pilot survived the crash and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
The deceased personnel have been identified as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
In an official statement, the IAF expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its personnel and extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. “The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the AN-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam. The service stands firmly with the families in this hour of grief,” the statement said.
The IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. Crash site management operations and preliminary investigations are currently underway.
The Air Force has urged the public and media to refrain from speculation until the preliminary findings of the inquiry are made available.
(Pic courtesy: AIR)
