By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : A Sukhoi MKI 30 aircraft crashed in a paddy field Milanpur area of Tezpur late in the evening on Thursday.   The accident was reported from the area called Saikia Suburi in Tezpur. Both the pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) sustained injuries in the incident and were rushed to the nearby hospital.  According to the locals, 5 to 6 Sukhoi 30 aircraft were practicing in the air (probably for the ensuing Independence Day celebration) at around 7 pm, during which one of the aircraft caught fire in mid-air and crashed. However, the local residents of the area rushed to help and rescued one of the two pilots; the other pilot was also rescued after ejecting safely from the aircraft. As per official reports, they are both undergoing treatment. Three fire tenders reached the spot to douse the fire. Although it has been believed that the aircraft crashed due to technical glitches, the IAF is yet to make any official statement. The black box of the aircraft has been recovered, reports said. The IAF has started an inquiry into the incident.The Su-30 MKI fighter jet was on a routine training mission when it crashed in the paddy field in the Milanpur area and burst into flames at around 8:30 pm, Lt Col Pande .