'Deeply Anguished' Rajnath Singh, Political Leaders Mourn Loss Of 5 Air Warriors In Assam AN-32 Crash

Assam: An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft caught fire and crashed at the air force station in Jorhat, Assam on Saturday morning. Five IAF personnel were killed in the accident. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat at around 10 am heading to Chabua. Shortly after takeoff the crew requested to return for landing. During that process the aircraft broke into two pieces. Fire then engulfed the wreckage. All five on board lost their lives.

The five who sacrificed themselves?

The Indian Air Force confirmed the names of the five personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. They are Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.

What Rajnath Singh said?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep anguish over the crash. He said he was deeply pained by the loss of five Air Warriors in the AN-32 accident at Jorhat. He named each of the five personnel and said their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and said the nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief.

Others who spoke?

Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss. He offered heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the five personnel.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed grief and prayed for peace for the departed souls. She said the country will remain indebted to them for their service and sacrifice.

A troubled history of the AN-32?

This is not the first time an AN-32 has gone down. It is the third major crash of this aircraft type in the last ten years. The AN-32 was originally acquired from the Soviet Union. At least two previous crashes of this aircraft have killed 42 IAF personnel over the past decade. Questions are once again being raised about the continued operation of ageing Soviet-era aircraft in the Indian Air Force fleet and whether it is time to replace them entirely.