Assam: Sukhoi with 2 pilots missing near China border

A Sukhoi aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly went missing on Tuesday, May 23, in Assam near the border of China. The Su-30 aircraft was said to be on a routine training mission when it dropped off the radar north of the Tezpur district of the state, reported ANI quoting IAF sources. 

There is no report yet on what happened to the aircraft, and no communication has been received yet from the two pilots who were on board the aircraft. It reportedly dropped off the radar around 60 km from the Tezpur district headquarters. 

IAF has subsequently launched search operations for the missing plane and the pilots aboard it. 

An official statement from the Defence Ministry, released on Tuesday eveining, said: "A two-seater Su-30 MKI aircraft of IAF, which got airborne from Tezpur Airbase today morning on a routine training mission as part of a two aircraft formation, lost Radar and Radio contact with controlling station at around 1110 hrs."

It added: "The last reported position was 60 km North-West of Tezpur. The aircraft was declared overdue and Search and Rescue operations have been activated to locate the aircraft and the pilots. Help from civil administration and military authorities has also been sought for the search and rescue effort."