Indian Sukhoi Fighter Jet Goes Missing in Assam, Crash Feared

Summary

An Indian Air Force Sukhoi fighter jet has gone missing in the northeastern state of Assam shortly after takeoff. Authorities have launched a search and rescue operation amid fears that the aircraft may have crashed.

Key Points

• An Indian Air Force Sukhoi fighter jet went missing in Assam.
• The aircraft took off from Jorhat Airbase on a routine mission.
• Contact with the jet was lost at 7:42 pm.
• The aircraft carried a pilot and a weapons system operator.
• Search and rescue teams have been deployed to locate the aircraft.

Detailed Article

An advanced Sukhoi fighter jet of the Indian Air Force has gone missing shortly after takeoff in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, raising concerns that the aircraft may have crashed.

According to Indian media reports, the aircraft had taken off in the evening for a routine flight mission from Jorhat Airbase.

The fighter jet was flying over the Karbi Anglong district when communication with the aircraft suddenly broke off.

In a statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed that the last contact with the aircraft occurred at 7:42 pm.

The aircraft reportedly had two crew members onboard, including a pilot and a weapons system operator (navigator).

Following the loss of contact, authorities immediately launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing jet and its crew.

Residents in the forested areas of Karbi Anglong claimed they heard a loud explosion-like sound around the same time the aircraft disappeared, raising fears that the fighter jet may have crashed.

However, officials have not yet confirmed whether the aircraft has crashed.

The Indian Air Force said both aerial and ground search teams have been deployed to locate the aircraft and its crew.

The Sukhoi fighter jet, built in Russia, is a twin-engine multirole combat aircraft and is considered one of the most important fighter jets in the Indian Air Force.

The aircraft is capable of performing a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat and ground attack operations.

Officials said more details regarding the cause of the disappearance and the condition of the crew will be revealed once the search operation is completed.