Five Indian Air Force Personnel Die in Assam Plane Crash

Five personnel from the Indian Air Force lost their lives following the crash of an Antonov An-32 transport aircraft in Assam's Jorhat region. The aircraft encountered difficulties during a routine sortie, according to a statement released by the Indian Air Force on Saturday.

"The aircraft met with an accident," the Air Force reported, adding that managing the crash site and conducting initial inquiries are currently in progress. An investigation is being launched to ascertain the cause of the incident, the statement mentioned.

Images from news channel NDTV depicted the crash site, revealing a significant plume of black smoke and the aircraft seemingly shattered into fragments.

The Indian Air Force maintains a fleet of around 105 An-32 aircraft, primarily used for transporting personnel and cargo. The last significant incident concerning this twin-engine turboprop occurred in Arunachal Pradesh in 2019, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals.

The authorities are expected to convey further updates as the investigation unfolds.