Indian fighter jet crashes in Assam near China border: reports

Indian Air Force, defence ministry have not yet confirmed whether the aircraft has crashed

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Web Desk March 05, 2026 1 min read

Photo: File

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An Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet has reportedly crashed in Assam near the China border on Thursday, with reports indicating that electronic warfare (EW) measures deployed by China may have caused the incident.

The Indian Air Force and the Indian defence ministry have not yet confirmed whether the aircraft has crashed. However, the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Guwahati stated that the aircraft went missing from radar, losing contact around 7pm during a routine mission over the Karbi Anglong district.

According to Indian media, some local reports indicated that residents heard a loud explosion, raising concerns that the aircraft may have crashed. Authorities said the pilot of the aircraft remains unaccounted for, and search and rescue teams have been deployed to locate the jet and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The development came after a similar incident in June 2024, when another Sukhoi Su-30MKI went missing in Maharashtra’s Nashik district during a test flight. The aircraft later crashed near Shirasgaon village in Nifad tehsil, though both the pilot and co-pilot managed to eject safely.

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According to the Indian Air Force, the jet in the Nashik incident had been undergoing flight testing following an overhaul and crashed due to a technical malfunction. The pilot, Wing Commander Bokil, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited hospital for treatment.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet.

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With a range of around 3,000 kilometres and the capability to fire the BrahMos cruise missile, the Su-30MKI plays a key role in India’s air superiority and strike operations.

The Indian Air Force currently operates around 270 Su-30MKI aircraft and is planning a major modernisation programme known as “Super Sukhoi”, which aims to upgrade the jets with AESA radar, improved avionics, advanced electronic warfare systems and enhanced weapon systems.