IAF AN-32 Aircraft Catches Fire After Landing At Jorhat Airbase

An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft reportedly caught fire moments after landing at Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday. The incident prompted authorities to activate emergency protocols without delay.

Witnesses reported seeing flames emerge from the aircraft soon after it completed its landing. Large plumes of smoke subsequently rose above the airbase area.

Airbase personnel and emergency responders rushed to the location immediately after the fire was detected. Fire crews worked quickly to contain the flames and secure the surrounding area.

Officials have yet to confirm the full extent of the damage caused by the incident. They have also not released any information regarding possible injuries.

Relevant agencies are likely to initiate a comprehensive inquiry into the occurrence.

Investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding the fire and attempt to identify its exact cause.

The Indian Air Force had not issued a detailed statement on the incident at the time of reporting. Authorities continued assessment and response operations throughout the day.

The AN-32, a Soviet-designed twin-engine transport aircraft, has remained a vital part of the Indian Air Force fleet for decades. The platform regularly operates in difficult environments, including mountainous and high-altitude regions.

The aircraft has played a particularly important role in supporting missions across the Northeast and along India’s northern frontiers.

In June 2019, an AN-32 carrying 13 personnel vanished during a flight from Jorhat to Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. Search teams later discovered the wreckage, confirming that all occupants had lost their lives.

A separate AN-32 disappeared over the Bay of Bengal in July 2016 while travelling from Chennai to Port Blair with 29 people on board. Despite a massive search effort, investigators located evidence connected to the aircraft only years later.

Over the years, the AN-32 fleet has experienced several accidents and operational incidents.

Officials are expected to provide additional updates on the Jorhat episode once preliminary findings become available.

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