IAF AN-32 bursts into flames at Jorhat airbase, five airmen killed
Synopsis
An IAF AN-32 burst into flames on landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on 13 June, killing five airmen — the second major AN-32 accident at the same base since 2019. The incident renews urgent questions about the ageing Soviet-origin fleet that has now been linked to the deaths of at least 47 personnel across three major incidents.
Key Takeaways
An IAF AN-32 transport aircraft caught fire after landing at Jorhat Air Force Station , Assam, on 13 June at approximately 10 am IST .
Five IAF personnel were killed; identities had not been officially released as of initial reports.
The IAF confirmed the incident and called for restraint from speculation pending preliminary inquiry results.
In June 2019 , an AN-32 departing the same Jorhat base went missing; all 13 personnel on board were later declared dead.
A separate AN-32 disappeared over the Bay of Bengal in July 2016 with 29 personnel ; debris was identified only in 2024 .
A formal technical investigation is expected to be ordered to determine the cause of Saturday's crash.
At least five Indian Air Force personnel were killed on Saturday, 13 June after an AN-32 transport aircraft caught fire shortly after landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam, defence officials confirmed. The incident occurred at approximately 10 am IST, triggering an immediate emergency response from Air Force and airport firefighting teams.
What Happened at Jorhat
The AN-32 was on a routine sortie when it met with the accident during the landing roll at Jorhat. The aircraft reportedly burst into flames shortly after touchdown. Emergency crews were deployed to the crash site, and initial enquiries were launched almost immediately.
The Indian Air Force issued a statement confirming the incident: 'An IAF AN-32 aircraft met with an accident during a routine sortie today at approximately 1000h at Jorhat, Assam. Crash site management and initial enquiries are on at this time. IAF requests everyone to refrain from speculation till preliminary results are not in.'
Casualties and Official Response
Defence officials subsequently confirmed that five personnel lost their lives in the accident. The identities of the deceased had not been officially released as of the time of reporting. The IAF expressed its condolences, stating: 'IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief.'
A formal court of inquiry is expected to be ordered to determine the cause of the accident. Technical experts and Air Force authorities were examining the crash site while preliminary investigations remained underway.
The AN-32's Troubled Operational History
The Soviet-origin AN-32 is a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft that has served as a primary workhorse of the IAF for decades, particularly in difficult terrains across the Northeast and along the Himalayan frontier. Saturday's crash is the latest in a series of serious incidents involving the platform.
Notably, in June 2019, an IAF AN-32 carrying 13 personnel went missing after departing Jorhat Air Force Station — the same base — for Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. The wreckage was eventually found in mountainous terrain, and all 13 personnel on board were declared dead. This is the second major AN-32 accident directly linked to Jorhat.
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.
What Happens Next
The IAF is expected to order a detailed technical investigation into the cause of Saturday's fire. Questions around the AN-32 fleet's continued airworthiness — a subject of periodic parliamentary and defence scrutiny — are likely to resurface in the wake of this latest tragedy. The IAF has been in the process of evaluating replacement platforms for the ageing AN-32 fleet, though no firm induction timeline has been publicly confirmed.
Point of View
Two of them originating from the same Jorhat base. The fleet's age and the Northeast's unforgiving terrain are a known combination of risk. The question that Saturday's crash demands is not just what caused this particular fire, but why replacement timelines for the AN-32 have remained perpetually unresolved. Every inquiry report that stays classified and every procurement delay that goes unexplained is, at this point, a policy failure with a body count.
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 burst into flames shortly after landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on 13 June at approximately 10 am IST. Five IAF personnel were killed in the accident, and a formal investigation has been initiated.
How many people were killed in the Jorhat AN-32 crash?
At least five IAF personnel were killed. Their identities had not been officially released at the time of initial reporting, according to defence officials.
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 key workhorse of the IAF for decades. It is widely used in high-altitude and difficult-terrain operations across Northeast India and the Himalayan frontier due to its short-field performance.
Has the AN-32 been involved in other accidents in India?
Yes. In June 2019, an AN-32 departing Jorhat Air Force Station went missing en route to Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh; all 13 personnel on board were declared dead after the wreckage was found. In July 2016, another AN-32 disappeared over the Bay of Bengal with 29 personnel on board; debris was identified only in 2024.
What investigation follows the Jorhat AN-32 crash?
The IAF is expected to order a formal court of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident. Technical experts were already examining the crash site on the day of the incident, with preliminary enquiries underway.
