What was meant to be a time of celebration at Squadron Leader Anuj Vashisht’s home in Gurugram quickly turned into grief on Friday afternoon when his family received devastating news. An Indian Air Force official called to inform them that the young officer had died after a Su-30 MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.
The crash, which occurred during a training sortie, claimed the lives of two IAF pilots. Vashisht and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar were on board the aircraft that had taken off from Jorhat airbase before disappearing from radar. The Indian Air Force confirmed their deaths on Friday, a day after the aircraft went missing.
Soon after the family received the call, some relatives left for Assam, said Chandra Prakash, a relative.
Back at the family’s house in Sector 22B, Gurugram, neighbours, friends and relatives began arriving as news of the tragedy spread.
For now, the pilot’s mother has not been told the full extent of the loss. According to relatives, she has only been informed that her son was injured in the crash.
A young officer whose wedding was being planned
Vashisht belonged to the Bhiwani district of Haryana. He is survived by his father, Subedar (retd) Anand Prakash, his mother Anita Devi, and a younger brother.
According to a family friend, Vashisht studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sector 14, Gurugram, before joining the Indian Air Force. His family had recently begun making arrangements for his wedding, and his fiancée is also a pilot.
Leaders express condolences
Union minister Rao Inderjit Singh and Haryana’s Military and Paramilitary Welfare Minister Rao Narbir Singh expressed condolences over the deaths of the two pilots.
In their messages, they said the country would always remember the courage and sacrifice of its servicemen.
They described Vashisht’s service as an example of dedication and patriotism, adding that his sacrifice would continue to inspire the nation.