FIVE INDIAN AIR FORCE PERSONNEL DIE IN ASSAM PLANE CRASH

Five Indian Air Force personnel died when an Antonov An-32 transport plane crashed during training in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday. The deceased were Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. The Indian Air Force confirmed the deaths in a statement, describing the personnel as having "made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty". Crash site management and initial enquiries are ongoing at the location.

The An-32 is a Soviet-era transport aircraft widely used by the Indian Air Force for cargo and personnel transport. The Indian Air Force operates approximately 105 An-32 aircraft across its fleet. Assam is located in the northeastern part of India. The Air Force stated that an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.

The Indian Air Force extended condolences to the bereaved families and stated it stands with them during the period of grief. No further details regarding the circumstances of the crash or the outcome of the investigation have been released at this time.