Maharashtra Government Grants ₹1 Crore to Family of Deceased Pilot
The parents of Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar receive financial assistance following the tragic crash of a Su-30MKI in Assam.
Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar died in a Su-30MKI crash on March 5, 2026.
Maharashtra government provided ₹1 crore in ex-gratia to his parents.
Duragkar was a promising pilot with a notable military career.
On October 30, 2026, the Maharashtra government officially presented ₹1 crore as ex-gratia assistance to the parents of Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who tragically lost his life in a Su-30MKI aircraft crash in Assam's Karbi Anglong district earlier this year. The financial aid was delivered by Major Anand Patharkar (Retd), the District Sainik Welfare Officer, to Duragkar's parents, Ravindra and Sandhya Duragkar, in Nagpur, with each parent receiving ₹50 lakh.
The unfortunate incident occurred on March 5, 2026, when the Su-30MKI, which was on a training mission from Air Force Station Jorhat, lost radar contact around 7:42 PM. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a remote, hilly area near Inglong Ekopi/Rongkhelan, approximately 60 kilometers from the airbase. The wreckage was discovered the next day, confirming the deaths of both Flight Lieutenant Duragkar and Squadron Leader Anuj Vashishth, who were unable to eject from the aircraft.
Flight Lieutenant Duragkar, born in 1998, was 28 years old at the time of his death. He had a commendable educational background, completing his Class X at South Public School in Nagpur and earning a BSc in Computer Science from Dr Ambedkar College. He was actively involved in the National Cadet Corps and had trained at the Defence Services Academy in Bhandara. He was commissioned as a Flying Officer on December 7, 2022, and later promoted to Flight Lieutenant, serving initially at Tezpur before operating from Jorhat due to runway repairs.
The Maharashtra government's policy, effective since 2019, provides ₹1 crore as ex-gratia to the families of defense personnel killed in action or operations. This assistance was processed approximately eight months after the crash, reflecting the state's commitment to supporting bereaved families. The Indian Air Force had previously expressed condolences, emphasizing their solidarity with the families affected by this tragedy.
Looking ahead, the Indian Air Force continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, which marks another incident involving the Su-30MKI in the Northeast region. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of personnel and preventing future accidents as the IAF honors the legacy of its fallen pilots.
