A Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft is suspected to have crashed in the hilly terrain of Karbi Anglong district in Assam on the evening of Thursday, March 5, 2026, shortly after reportedly taking off from Jorhat, local residents and sources said, prompting alarm in nearby villages and expectations of an urgent search-and-rescue operation.
The suspected impact is believed to have occurred in a remote hill area near Nilip Block under Chokihola. According to villagers, a massive, explosion-like sound was heard at around 7:00 PM, reverberating across the surrounding hills and causing panic in nearby settlements.
Eyewitnesses told reporters the sound was unusually loud and echoed through the mountainous terrain. Several residents said they later saw smoke rising from the direction of the hills, leading many to suspect that a military aircraft had gone down.
Sources familiar with the initial reports indicated the aircraft was likely a Sukhoi-30 fighter jet that had taken off from Jorhat earlier that evening. Officials, however, have not issued a formal confirmation of the type of aircraft or the incident.
The suspected crash site is said to lie deep inside a forested and mountainous area far from human habitation, making immediate access difficult for local people. Security forces and concerned authorities are expected to deploy search-and-rescue teams to verify ground reports and reach the possible site as soon as conditions allow.
As of now there has been no official statement on the fate of the pilots or the condition of the aircraft. Authorities are reportedly verifying multiple ground reports, and further details are likely to emerge once rescue teams reach and assess the area.
The incident has raised safety concerns among residents of Karbi Anglong and neighbouring areas. Officials and rescue agencies have been asked to provide timely updates as verification and recovery efforts proceed.
