Five Air Force Personnel Killed as Transport Aircraft Crashes in Assam

New Delhi-Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed on Saturday when an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine training flight near Jorhat in the northeastern state of Assam, the air force said.

The aircraft crashed while landing at an air force station, according to a statement from the Indian Air Force. Images from the site showed wreckage scattered across a field.

The air force expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said it stood with them during the loss.

The cause of the crash was not immediately disclosed, and authorities were expected to investigate the incident.

The AN-32 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force for logistics, training and operational missions.

The crash follows another recent accident involving an Indian military aircraft in Assam. In March, two Indian Air Force pilots were killed when a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed during a routine training mission in the state.

Military aviation accidents in India have previously led to reviews of aircraft safety, maintenance and training procedures.