From Squadron Leader To Agniveervayus: Who Were The 5 IAF Personnel Killed In An-32 Aircraft Crash In Assam's Jorhat?

Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed after their An-32 aircraft crashed during a 'routine sortie' near Assam's Jorhat at around 10:00 AM on Saturday. The IAF has identified the deceased as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, and Agniveervayus Khemaram Kumawat and Danish Alam.

What IAF Said?

Earlier, an Air Force official stated that the An-32 aircraft missed the runway and crashed in an area outside the airstrip, Jagran.com reported.

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In an official statement confirming the casualties, the Indian Air Force expressed profound grief, saying, "The IAF deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat."

Investigation Underway At Crash Site

The Air Force stated that an investigation is currently underway at the crash site to determine the exact cause of the accident. Urging caution against premature conclusions, the IAF urged the public and media to refrain from speculation till the preliminary investigation results are available.

An-32: A Key Component Of IAF's Medium-Lift Fleet

According to The Times of India, the Antonov An-32, a twin-engine military transport aircraft, is a key component of the Indian Air Force's medium-lift fleet, with approximately 100 units currently in service.

Developed in the former Soviet Union to meet the operational requirements of the IAF, the An-32 has been designed to operate in challenging conditions, making it ideal for missions in remote and high-altitude areas.

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Used For Airlift Missions, Troop Movements, Delivery Of Supplies

The Antonov An-32, powered by twin wing-mounted turboprop engines, is capable of carrying up to 7,500 kilograms of cargo, 50 passengers, or 42 paratroopers. The aircraft has long been used for tactical airlift missions, troop movements, and the delivery of supplies to remote locations.

However, to modernise its ageing fleet, the IAF has initiated plans to replace it with next-generation medium transport aircraft, such as the Airbus C-295. This program received a major boost recently when the first 'Made-in-India' C-295 aircraft successfully completed its maiden test flight from the final assembly line in Gujarat's Vadodara.

(With Inputs From Jagran.com)