Guwahati: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI fighter aircraft went missing after taking off from Jorhat air base in Assam, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation.Defence PRO Lieutenant Colonel M Rawat said the jet had taken off from Jorhat, one of IAF’s key forward bases in the northeast. The last contact with the fighter aircraft was at 7.42pm.Preliminary information suggests that the aircraft lost radar contact over Assam’s Karbi Anglong region, a hilly and forested area that often poses challenges for aerial surveillance and ground access.The Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, long-range multirole fighter and forms the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet.There was no immediate word on the crew or the cause of loss of contact, Rawat said, adding that speculation should be avoided until the search operation yields results.The IAF confirmed on X about the Su-30 MKI being reported overdue.“Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated,” it added.
