New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) An-32 transport aircraft suffered a catastrophic explosion and caught fire during a landing attempt at Jorhat Air Force Station in the northeastern state of Assam on Saturday morning, killing seven soldiers and one crew member, while injuring 16 others.
According to informed sources, the United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), or ULFA-I, is suspected of facilitating the placement of explosive material aboard the Russian-built military aircraft through an individual linked to the crew.
The device detonated during the landing phase as the aircraft touched down, triggering a powerful explosion that resulted in the deaths of seven soldiers and one crew member.
Sixteen other personnel sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
ULFA-I remains one of the most active insurgent groups operating in Assam and has long been involved in an armed campaign against the Indian state.
🚨🇮🇳 ANOTHER IAF AIRCRAFT CRASHES
Indian Air Force military transport aircraft reportedly crashed while attempting to land at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam, killing all the pilots.
The crashes have become a daily routine for IAF since losing Rafales last year. pic.twitter.com/VOplC0OwbW
— Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) June 13, 2026
Sources familiar with the matter said investigators are examining possible links between the group and the incident as part of the ongoing probe into the crash.
Earlier, indian and International media reported that a Russian-made Indian military transport plane crashed on Saturday while landing at an air force station in the country’s remote northeast, the military said in a statement.
The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat, Assam.
Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.… pic.twitter.com/9SmOjtS5mU
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 13, 2026
“An IAF An-32 aircraft met with an accident today while landing at Jorhat. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the statement said.
An Indian Air Force AN-32 has
crashed in Jorhat, Assam.Details awaited 📍 pic.twitter.com/3geAZGyWi7
— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) June 13, 2026
“The Indian Air Force expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of five personnel in the An-32 crash at Jorhat, Assam,” it said and added that the IAF extended its condolences to the bereaved families and pledged its full support during their time of grief.
News channel NDTV broadcast images of the crash site, showing a thick black plume of smoke and the aircraft apparently broken into pieces.
The Antonov An-32 is a Soviet-designed twin-engine military transport aircraft that has served as a key workhorse of the Indian Air Force since the 1980s.
Built for operations in extreme conditions, it is particularly valued for its ability to operate from high-altitude and unprepared airstrips in the Himalayan region.
The aircraft can carry up to 7.5 tonnes of cargo, around 50 passengers or 42 paratroopers, and is widely used for logistics missions, troop transport, medical evacuations and the delivery of supplies to remote border areas.
