Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel died on Saturday, June 13, 2026, when an AN-32 cargo aircraft crashed while landing at the Jorhat airbase in Assam. The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. at the Rowriah facility, prompting an immediate security lockdown of the station by defense authorities.
Who were the personnel involved?
The IAF confirmed the loss of five airmen in a statement released following the accident. The deceased are Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. According to the IAF, the aircraft belonged to the 43 Squadron. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his condolences, stating that the service and courage of the five men would be remembered with pride.
What is the status of the investigation?
The Indian Air Force has announced that a court of inquiry is being constituted to determine the cause of the crash. While the service confirmed the accident occurred during a landing maneuver, it has not yet provided specific technical details regarding the circumstances of the failure. A defense spokesperson stated that the entire Air Force station in the Rowriah area of Jorhat has been sealed to prevent unauthorized entry while the initial investigation begins.
How are officials responding to the accident?
The loss has triggered responses from both federal and state leadership. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged the “supreme sacrifice” of the crew in the line of duty. Additionally, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on the platform X that the state government is in contact with relevant authorities and is prepared to provide support to the families of the deceased. The incident marks a significant loss for the 43 Squadron, and the subsequent inquiry is expected to clarify whether mechanical or environmental factors contributed to the landing accident.