IAF AN-32 catches fire after landing at Jorhat airbase in Assam
Synopsis
An IAF AN-32 transport aircraft burst into flames on landing at Jorhat in Assam — the same base from which a 2019 AN-32 vanished, killing all 13 on board. With casualties unconfirmed and the cause unknown, the incident reignites long-standing questions about the Soviet-era fleet's continued operational safety.
Key Takeaways
An IAF AN-32 transport aircraft reportedly caught fire immediately after landing at Jorhat Air Force Station , Assam , on 13 June .
Emergency firefighting teams were deployed; casualty figures and full damage extent were not immediately confirmed .
Authorities are expected to order a formal inquiry into the cause of the fire.
In June 2019 , an AN-32 carrying 13 personnel went missing from the same Jorhat base; all on board were declared dead.
A separate AN-32 disappeared over the Bay of Bengal in July 2016 with 29 personnel ; debris was identified only in 2024 .
The incident renews scrutiny over the IAF 's ageing Soviet-origin AN-32 fleet.
An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft reportedly burst into flames immediately after landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday, 13 June, triggering emergency response protocols at the base, according to officials. Thick smoke and flames were seen billowing from the aircraft shortly after touchdown.
Emergency Response at the Airbase
Airport and IAF emergency teams rushed to the scene and launched firefighting operations to contain the blaze. The full extent of damage to the aircraft had not been confirmed at the time of reporting, and information regarding casualties was not immediately available. Officials are yet to release a formal statement on the incident.
What Caused the Fire
Authorities are expected to order a detailed inquiry to ascertain the precise cause of the fire. Initial reports indicate the incident occurred immediately upon landing, though the exact trigger — whether mechanical failure, fuel ignition, or another factor — remains unconfirmed. Further details are awaited as rescue, damage assessment, and investigation efforts continue.
AN-32's Troubled Operational History
The AN-32, a Soviet-origin twin-engine tactical transport aircraft, has served as a key workhorse of the IAF for decades, particularly in high-altitude and difficult terrain operations across the Northeast and along the Himalayan frontier. Saturday's incident is the latest in a series of serious accidents involving the fleet.
In June 2019, an IAF AN-32 carrying 13 personnel went missing after taking off from Jorhat Air Force Station en route to Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. The wreckage was eventually located in mountainous terrain, and all 13 personnel on board were declared dead. Notably, that aircraft also departed from the same Jorhat base where Saturday's fire occurred.
In July 2016, another AN-32 disappeared over the Bay of Bengal while flying from Chennai to Port Blair with 29 personnel on board. Despite one of India's largest-ever search operations, the aircraft could not be located for years. Debris linked to the aircraft was eventually identified in 2024, and all those on board were presumed dead.
Scrutiny on Ageing Fleet
The string of incidents has drawn recurring scrutiny to the AN-32 fleet's age and airworthiness. The aircraft has also been involved in crashes in Arunachal Pradesh and other operational incidents at military airfields over the years. The IAF has been pursuing upgrades and eventual replacement of the fleet, though the timeline for full transition remains a matter of ongoing defence planning.
As investigation teams move in, the Jorhat incident is likely to renew pressure on the IAF and the Ministry of Defence to accelerate fleet modernisation decisions.
Point of View
And now a ground fire at the very base that dispatched the 2019 flight. Each incident has prompted inquiries; none has produced a publicly verifiable safety overhaul. The deeper question is one of institutional accountability: at what point does operational necessity become an unacceptable risk calculus for the personnel who fly these aircraft?
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the IAF AN-32 at Jorhat on 13 June?
An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft reportedly caught fire immediately after landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on 13 June. Emergency teams launched firefighting operations; casualty figures and the cause of the fire had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Were there any casualties in the Jorhat AN-32 fire?
Information regarding casualties was not immediately available, according to officials. A formal IAF statement was awaited as rescue and assessment operations were ongoing.
What is the AN-32 aircraft and why does the IAF use it?
The AN-32 is a Soviet-origin twin-engine tactical transport aircraft that has served as a primary workhorse of the IAF for decades. It is particularly used in high-altitude operations across India's Northeast and along the Himalayan frontier due to its performance in difficult terrain.
Has the AN-32 been involved in previous accidents in India?
Yes. In June 2019, an AN-32 carrying 13 personnel disappeared after taking off from Jorhat; all on board were declared dead after the wreckage was found in Arunachal Pradesh. In July 2016, another AN-32 went missing over the Bay of Bengal with 29 personnel; debris was identified only in 2024 and all aboard were presumed dead.
What happens next after the Jorhat incident?
Authorities are expected to order a detailed inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire. The IAF has not yet released an official statement, and investigation teams are assessing the damage at Jorhat Air Force Station.
