Guwahati, Jun 13: In a tragic incident on Saturday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN‑32 transport aircraft crashed within the premises of the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, sparking a fire on impact.

Emergency response teams rushed to the site to contain the blaze and assess the situation. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and details regarding casualties or injuries are yet to be confirmed. The IAF has stated that further updates will follow after a thorough investigation.

The Antonov AN‑32, a rugged twin‑engine turboprop aircraft, has long been considered the “workhorse” of the Indian Air Force.

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Specifically designed in the Soviet Union for India’s operational needs, the aircraft is capable of performing in extreme conditions, including high‑altitude airfields and tropical climates. With a payload capacity of 7.5 tons, it can carry up to 50 passengers or 42 paratroopers, making it indispensable for supply missions in remote regions. The IAF currently operates a fleet of around 100 AN‑32s.

This crash comes just months after a tragic Sukhoi Su‑30MKI fighter jet accident in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, which claimed the lives of two IAF pilots. That aircraft had taken off from the same Jorhat Air Force Station for a routine sortie before losing communication with ground control and crashing in a remote hilly area.

The latest incident underscores the risks faced by IAF personnel in maintaining operational readiness across diverse terrains.

While the AN‑32 has proven its reliability over decades, the crash highlights the importance of ongoing safety reviews and modernization efforts.

Investigators will now focus on determining whether technical failure, human error, or other factors contributed to the accident.