A fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force has been reported missing after losing radar contact during a routine sortie in the northeastern state of Assam on Thursday evening, prompting authorities to launch a search and rescue operation.
According to an official statement from the Indian Air Force, the Sukhoi Su‑30MKI fighter jet took off from Jorhat and was last in contact with ground control at 7:42 PM near Karbi Anglong, close to the area of Chokihola.
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The aircraft reportedly disappeared from radar around 7 PM while conducting a sortie in the Karbi Anglong district.
An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 5, 2026
Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated.@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India@adgpi@Indiannavy
Defence officials confirmed that a search and rescue mission has been launched on a war footing to determine the jet’s whereabouts.
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Indian authorities have so far not confirmed any crash, and further details about the aircraft and crew are still being ascertained.
About Sukhoi Su-30 MKI:
The Sukhoi Su‑30MKI is a 4.5-generation multirole combat fighter jet jointly developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited specifically for the Indian Air Force.
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Based on the Su-30 platform, the aircraft features thrust vectoring control and canards, allowing it to perform advanced manoeuvres and making it one of the IAF’s most capable frontline fighter jets.
Officials said more information will be shared as the search operation continues.
