A Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force went missing from radar on Thursday evening while flying over Karbi Anglong district in Assam, officials confirmed.

“An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat air base in Assam and was last in contact at 7:42 pm,” said Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat in a statement.

He added that search and rescue operations have been initiated to determine the status of the fighter jet. “We are mobilising all available resources to locate the aircraft,” he said, noting that there is no immediate information on the pilot’s condition.

Locals from Chokihola in the Bokajan sub-division reported that the plane may have crashed inside a forested area. “We are preparing a team to go and verify it. We cannot confirm anything at this moment,” an official said.

The Indian Air Force is coordinating closely with local authorities to conduct a comprehensive search of the region. No further details have been released, and the operation is ongoing.