The Indian Air Force on Friday confirmed that two pilots were killed after a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district during a routine training mission after losing radar contact shortly after taking off from Jorhat last evening.

In a statement, the IAF identified the pilots as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar.

Earlier today, the IAF had confirmed that the fighter jet went down in a hilly area of Karbi Anglong, around 60 km from the Jorhat airbase.

“The Su-30MKI which was on a training mission crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, approx 60 km from Jorhat. Search operations are underway,” the IAF said in a statement.

After the Sukhoi took off from Jorhar on Thursday, the aircraft's last communication with ground control was at 7.42 pm.

Inducted into the Air Force in the early 2000s, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is considered one of the most capable frontline combat aircraft.

The IAF currently has a fleet of more than 200 Sukhoi jets.