Fatalities reported as Indian military aircraft crashes, claiming five lives

A tragic incident occurred on Saturday when a military plane crashed while attempting to land at a base in India's remote northeast, resulting in the deaths of five Indian Air Force personnel, according to a military statement.

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The Indian Air Force expressed its profound regret over the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident, which took place at Jorhat, a city located in Assam state, as stated in an official air force statement.

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The statement did not provide details on the number of people on board at the time of the crash or whether anyone survived, but an anonymous air force official revealed to AFP that the co-pilot had survived the accident.

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News channel NDTV broadcast footage of the crash site, showing a thick black plume of smoke and the aircraft broken into pieces, giving a glimpse into the severity of the accident.

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The air force extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and expressed its solidarity with them in their time of grief, as the nation mourns the loss of the five personnel.

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The Russian-made Antonov An-32 was on a routine sortie when it crashed while attempting to land, according to the air force, which also announced that a court of inquiry would be constituted to determine the cause of the accident.

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The An-32 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed to perform optimally at high altitudes and in extreme climates, and the Indian air force operates approximately 100 of these planes for military supplies and civilian aid in the country's most remote mountainous regions.

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The last major crash involving the An-32 occurred in 2019 in Arunachal Pradesh state, near the border with China, resulting in the deaths of 13 people, a tragic incident that highlights the risks associated with operating in challenging environments.