Indian Air Force An-32 crashes at Jorhat air base in Assam

An Indian Air Force transport plane crashed and caught fire while landing at a military airbase in the northeastern state of Assam on Saturday, June 13, 2026. The Antonov An-32 aircraft went down at the Rowriah Air Force Station in Jorhat, triggering a major emergency response.

The air force confirmed the accident in a statement, saying a formal Court of Inquiry is being constituted to determine the cause. Initial reports from the scene indicated the aircraft crash-landed within the operational perimeter of the base and burst into flames upon impact, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air. Emergency firefighting and rescue teams were immediately deployed to contain the blaze and secure the area.

While official casualty figures were not immediately released, initial reports feared at least one pilot had died. The exact number of personnel on board the aircraft at the time of the accident was not disclosed by authorities, who stated a comprehensive assessment was ongoing.

The twin-engine turboprop An-32 is a mainstay of the Indian Air Force's medium-lift transport fleet, with approximately 100 aircraft in service. Originally of Soviet design, the aircraft is renowned for...