Pilot killed In Assam Sukhoi Crash Was Part Of OP Sindoor

Squadron Leader Anuj Vashishth and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who were part of Operation Sindoor last year, were killed on Thursday evening when their Su-30MKI crashed in Assam's hilly Karbi Anglong district shortly after going off the radar during a training sortie, IAF confirmed on Friday after locating the wreckage. The Sukhoi jet had taken off from the WWII-era Jorhat airbase, 200km from Karbi Anglong, around 6.45 pm and lost contact with ground control at 7.42 pm.

For retired railway employee Ravindra Duragkar, memories of his son surfaced in bittersweet flashes, the warmth of a recent family gathering just ten days ago, and their last phone conversation on Wednesday before the fatal flight. As IAF officials visited the family home in New Subedar Layout to convey condolences, Ravindra alternated between silent grief and proud recollections of a son who had lived his lifelong dream soaring through the skies.

His father said that the family was initially unaware of his participation in Operation Sindoor. 

“My son was extremely proud to be part of the Indian Air Force. He would sometimes share his experience of flying fighter planes and the speeds that IAF jets achieve. He held his colleagues in high regard,” he said.

"15 days after Operation Sindoor was paused, did we got to know that he was part of the operation. He did not have his mobile phone with him during that time. We were not in touch with him during that time," he said. 

Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar exuded exemplary dedication towards his duty during Operation Sindoor, a significant military operation carried out by India targeting terror bases in Pakistan. Recounting the final moments, his father said that he visited the family just 10 days ago for a small family get-together.

While reminiscing about Duragkar's experience as a fighter pilot, he said that his son often talked about the pride he felt when he used to don the uniform and the thrill of flying high-speed aircraft. 

Also Read: ‘Saw the Plane Going Down’: Locals Describe IAF Jet Crash in Assam