Two Indian Air Force fighter pilots died after a Sukhoi-30MKI crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a training mission. Squadron Leader Anuj Vashisth from Gurugram was the son of a retired Army JCO. Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar from Nagpur was commissioned in 2022 and had an NCC background.
New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI crashed at Inglong Ekopi Hill in Bokajan Sub Division of the Karbi Anglong district in Assam on Thursday evening, killing two air warriors, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar.
The Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, which was on a routine training mission, had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening before losing contact with ground control at around 7:42pm.
Let’s learn more about these officers:
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Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar
A native of Nagpur, Maharashtra, Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2022 as a fighter pilot. A graduate in Computer Science from Dr Ambedkar College, he completed his schooling at South Point School in Omkar Nagar in Nagpur.
Duragkar had an active background in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and represented Maharashtra in six national NCC camps. He also represented the Maharashtra Directorate in aero-modelling competitions.
His father, Ravindra Duragkar, works as a Transport Inspector with Central Railway, while his mother, Sandhya Duragkar, is a homemaker.
The family of Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, one of the two Indian Air Force pilots killed in the Su-30MKI crash in Assam, is struggling to come to terms with the loss. At their home in Nagpur’s New Subedar Layout, his father Ravindra Duragkar could only hold on to memories of his son — especially their final phone conversation and a recent family gathering.
Last conversation still fresh
Ravindra Duragkar, a retired railway employee, said he had spoken to his son just a day before the accident.
“We had spoken on Wednesday. Later his Group Captain called us and informed us about the crash,” he said, recalling the painful moment when the family learned about the tragedy.
The fighter jet, a Sukhoi-30MKI, crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday evening during a routine training sortie. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase but disappeared from radar shortly after take-off. The crash claimed the lives of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar.
Despite his grief, Ravindra said his son was extremely proud of serving in the Indian Air Force and flying a frontline fighter jet.
“He would sometimes tell us about flying fighter aircraft and the speeds these jets reach. He had great respect for his fellow officers,” the father said.
Purvesh was originally posted at Tezpur in Assam, but had been operating from Jorhat as repair work was underway on the Tezpur runway.
Role in Operation Sindoor
Ravindra also revealed that his 28-year-old son had participated in Operation Sindoor, an Indian mission launched to target terror bases in Pakistan after last year’s Pahalgam terror attack.
According to his father, Purvesh took great pride in being part of the operation and remained deeply committed to his duties as a fighter pilot.
Family gathering just gays ago
Neighbours said Purvesh had recently visited Nagpur along with his sister for a family get-together about ten days before the accident.
His sister, an IIT graduate who now lives in the United States, had travelled home for the occasion. The reunion, which the family had cherished, has now turned into a painful memory.
Purvesh completed his schooling in Nagpur and was unmarried. He is survived by his parents and sister.
Final journey to Nagpur
Ravindra Duragkar said his son’s body was expected to be brought to Nagpur later in the day. At the family home, relatives and neighbours have gathered to offer support as the family mourns the loss of the young Air Force officer.
The Indian Air Force has expressed condolences to the families of both pilots and is investigating the cause of the crash.
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Squadron Leader Anuj Vashisth
Son of a retired Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officer, Squadron Leader Anuj Vashisth was from Haryana’s Gurugram.
The Indian Air Force has expressed condolences to the families of both pilots and is investigating the cause of the crash.
In a post on X, the Indian Air Force said: “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 family in this time of grief.”
Sukhoi fighter jet crash in the past
The Sukhoi-30MKI is one of the IAF's frontline fighter jets and plays an essential role in India's air defense capabilities.
Before this incident, a Sukhoi-30MKI had crashed in August 2019. It crashed in a paddy field near Tezpur in Assam during a routine training mission. The pilots successfully ejected and were rescued.
Earlier in May 2015, another Sukhoi-30MKI went down approximately 36 km south of Tezpur Air Force base shortly after take-off, with both pilots ejecting safely before the crash.
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(With inputs from agencies)
