As of the latest reports, there is no definitive official confirmation regarding casualties.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially ordered a ‘Court of Inquiry’ to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash of an AN-32 transport aircraft at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday. This critical investigative measure was initiated immediately following the incident to determine the specific technical and operational factors that led to this unfortunate event.

The accident occurred while the aircraft was in the process of landing at the Rowriah airbase in the Jorhat district. Emergency response teams and specialized firefighting units were promptly dispatched to the site to manage the situation and secure the area, as the aircraft reportedly caught fire upon impact. Senior IAF officials reached the location shortly after the incident to oversee the initial site assessment and recovery operations.

The Indian Air Force has expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of five personnel in the Jorhat AN-32 aircraft crash. The deceased have been identified as Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveer Vayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveer Vayu Danish Alam. In a statement, the Air Force extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, affirming its unwavering support for them during this incredibly difficult time.

Confirming the incident on the social media platform 'X', the Indian Air Force stated: "An AN-32 transport aircraft met with an accident at the Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam today. A Court of Inquiry is being constituted to investigate the causes of the accident."

The AN-32 remains a vital component of the IAF’s logistics fleet, widely utilized for transport and supply missions across challenging terrains. Further updates are expected as the ongoing investigation and on-ground recovery operations continue to develop.

(With Inputs from PTI)