India, March 6 -- Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots - Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar - were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district during a training mission.

Confirming the deaths, the IAF said both officers sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

"The IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief," the Indian Air Force said in a statement.

The Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening before losing contact with ground control. Defence officials...