In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the nation, Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, a dedicated young pilot who participated in the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, lost his life in a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crash during a routine training mission in Assam.
The crash occurred on the evening of March 5, 2026, when the twin-seat Su-30MKI aircraft took off from the Jorhat Air Base for a standard training sortie. Radar contact with the jet was lost shortly after takeoff at around 7:42 PM. The wreckage was later discovered in a remote hilly area of Karbi Anglong district, approximately 60 km from the base. Both pilots on board sustained fatal injuries, as confirmed by the Indian Air Force.
The other pilot killed in the accident was Squadron Leader Anuj. The IAF issued an official statement expressing profound sorrow: “The IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief.”
Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, aged 27-28 and hailing from Nagpur, Maharashtra, was originally posted at the Tezpur Air Base in Assam. Due to ongoing runway maintenance work at Tezpur, he was temporarily operating from Jorhat. A 2015 school alumnus remembered fondly by his teachers as a sincere and disciplined student, Purvesh had recently served as the chief guest at his alma mater during Republic Day celebrations.
His father, Ravindra Duragkar, a retired railway employee, shared poignant memories of his son in interviews from their home in Nagpur. He recalled a phone conversation with Purvesh just a day before the crash and a family get-together about 10-15 days earlier. Purvesh had visited home in February, spending precious time with loved ones. The family only learned of his involvement in Operation Sindoor—India’s 2025 military operation targeting terror bases in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack—after the mission was paused, as he had no access to his phone during the operation.
Ravindra described his son as deeply committed to his service, proud of flying a fighter jet, and always striving to avoid mistakes in his duties. “He was deeply committed to his work and inspired the new generation,” he said, highlighting Purvesh’s passion for serving the nation.
The incident underscores the inherent risks faced by IAF personnel, even during peacetime training exercises. The Su-30MKI, a mainstay of India’s frontline fighter fleet, has a strong operational record but has seen occasional accidents over the years.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his condolences on social media, stating he was “deeply saddened” by the loss and that the pilots’ courage and service would “always be remembered with pride and gratitude.” The nation joins in mourning the sacrifice of these brave officers.
The IAF has launched a Court of Inquiry to determine the cause of the crash. As tributes pour in, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, whose dedication exemplified the highest ideals of service to the country.
Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
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