A major tragedy struck when an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed during a routine training sortie from Jorhat Air Base in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. Radar contact was lost around 7:42 PM on March 5, approximately 60 km from the base. Both pilots, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, sustained fatal injuries and were confirmed deceased by March 6. The IAF expressed condolences and initiated a Court of Inquiry to probe causes (technical failure, human error, or otherwise under investigation). This marks a setback for pilot training and fleet readiness, as the Su-30MKI is a frontline multirole asset. Search and rescue operations were launched immediately post-crash.