An Indian Air Force Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine sortie in Assam, killing five personnel, officials confirmed.
Five Indian Air Force personnel have died after a military transport aircraft crashed in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, according to official statements.
The Indian Air Force confirmed that the Antonov An-32 aircraft was involved in an accident during a routine sortie in the Jorhat region on Saturday.
Authorities said emergency teams were sent to the crash site while initial investigations into the cause of the incident began immediately after the accident.
In a statement, the Indian Air Force said crash site management operations were under way and a formal inquiry had been launched to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Television footage from local media showed thick black smoke rising from the wreckage, with debris scattered across the crash area. Images also suggested the aircraft broke apart upon impact.
The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft widely used by the Indian Air Force for carrying personnel, military equipment, and cargo across difficult terrain and remote regions.
India currently operates a fleet of more than 100 An-32 aircraft, many of which are deployed in mountainous and border regions.
The crash has once again raised concerns over ageing military aircraft and aviation safety in India’s armed forces.
One of the deadliest recent incidents involving the same aircraft model occurred in 2019, when another An-32 crashed in Arunachal Pradesh near the China border, killing all 13 people on board.
Officials have not yet released the identities of the personnel killed in Saturday’s crash, pending notification of their families.
