IAF pilot killed in Sukhoi crash participated in Op Sindoor
What's the story
Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who died in a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI crash in Assam's Karbi Anglong on Thursday, was part of Operation Sindoor. The operation was launched last year after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. His father, Ravindra, said the family only learned about his involvement 15 days after the operation. "15 days after Operation Sindoor was paused did we get to know...He did not have his mobile phone with him during that time," he told PTI.
Retaliatory action
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 after a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an affiliate of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). In retaliation, Indian security forces targeted multiple terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing over 100 terrorists.
Crash aftermath
Flight lieutenant proud of serving in IAF
Flight Lieutenant Purvesh and Squadron Leader Anuj were on a training mission when their Su-30 MKI went missing after takeoff from Jorhat airbase. According to IAF, communication with the aircraft was lost at 7:42pm. Ravindra said he spoke to his son a day before the crash, adding that Flight Lieutenant Purvesh was proud of being part of the IAF and often shared experiences about flying fighter planes.
Family background
Ravindra said his son inspired others with dedication
"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," Duragkar said. Ravindra said his son sacrificed himself for the nation and inspired others with his dedication. "My son sacrificed himself in the service of the nation. Everyone should take inspiration from him," Duragkar said.
Father
He is survived by his parents and sister
At the same time, he was sorrowful that his son couldn't serve the country as much as he wanted to. "He achieved his dream, but he could not serve the nation as much as he wanted to. He had a short tenure of 4 years," he said. The flight lieutenant last visited his family in Nagpur, Maharashtra, 10 days ago for a get-together. He is survived by his parents and a sister settled in the US.