Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar of the Indian Air Force was cremated with full military honours in his hometown of Nagpur on March 7, following a Sukhoi Su-30MKI crash that killed him and another pilot, identified as Anuj, on March 5. The aircraft was on a training sortie from the airbase in Jorhat and vanished from radar shortly after takeoff over Karbi Anglong district, officials said.
Duragkar’s mortal remains were consigned to flames at Manewada Ghat in a ceremony attended by family, friends, relatives, defence personnel and local dignitaries, according to a release from the district administration. The rites followed established military tradition and were carried out amid sober tributes.
The officer’s body had been flown to New Delhi on Friday, where tributes were paid at an official ceremony. It was then transported to Air Force Station Sonegaon before being taken to his residence in New Subedar Layout and handed over to the family on Saturday.
Nagpur leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule paid tribute to Duragkar, saying that “his valour, dedication and patriotism will continue to inspire the people of Nagpur and the nation,” the release added.
Final honours included a ceremonial gun salute by soldiers, reflecting the Indian Air Force’s customary observances for personnel who die on duty. Duragkar, 28, had participated in Operation Sindoor — the operation India launched to target terror bases in Pakistan after last year’s attack in Pahalgam, his father Ravindra Duragkar told officials.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/su-30mki-crash-flight-lieutenant-purvesh-duragkar-cremated-with-full-military-honour-1356360-2026-03-08?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-08 10:02:00
