Key facts
- An Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed in Assam on Saturday, killing five Indian Air Force personnel.
- Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar and Agniveervayu Danish Alam, both from Bihar, were among those killed.
- Kumar's family cherishes a final video call he had with his mother.
- Alam's family has a photograph he sent from inside an aircraft on the morning of the crash.
- Both young men had fulfilled their dreams of serving in the Indian Air Force.
Tragedy has befallen two villages in Bihar following the death of five Indian Air Force personnel, including Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar and Agniveervayu Danish Alam, in an Antonov An-32 aircraft crash in Assam on Saturday. Families are now cherishing the last digital memories of their sons.
Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, from Jehanabad, had a video call with his mother around 9 am on Saturday, appearing cheerful and in a hurry. His family learned of the accident around 11 am, with the grim reality setting in after repeated calls to his phone went unanswered and officials confirmed the news. Kumar, the son of a farmer and homemaker, had fulfilled his dream of serving the nation after being selected as a Flying Officer in 2021. Marriage talks had recently begun, but he prioritized his career.
In Kayamnagar village of Bhojpur district, Danish Alam's family holds onto a photograph he sent from inside an aircraft on Saturday morning. He had spoken to them via video call on Friday evening. Alam, an only son, had pursued his dream of joining the Indian Air Force through his own hard work. His friend, Sujit Tiwari, highlighted the family's financial struggles and appealed for government assistance, noting that Alam was the family's primary support.
The news of the crash has evoked a mix of grief and pride in the villages for the young men who chose to serve in uniform.