Two young men in uniform left behind grieving homes in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Among the airmen who lost their lives in the aircraft accident at Jorhat in Assam were Sergeant Jitendra Sharma of Aligarh and Flight Lieutenant Prashant Singh Tomar of Baghpat. For both families, the news landed like a thunderbolt.
How the Crash Happened
The tragedy struck on Saturday morning. At around 10 am, an Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft crashed while coming in to land. A total of 5 personnel were martyred in the accident — and Jitendra Sharma and Prashant Singh Tomar were among them.
Loss in the Middle of Wedding Plans
Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, 31, had recently been posted at Jorhat in Assam. His home was busy with happy preparations these days, as the family worked to finalise a marriage match for him. On June 5, Jitendra had even gone with his family to meet a prospective bride — and that very day, his leave over, he returned to his duty. A household that had been dreaming of wedding bells only days earlier is now plunged into mourning. The word of his sacrifice has shaken not just his family but the entire neighbourhood.
He Chose the Path of Service in 2014
Jitendra Sharma belonged to Salpur village in Aligarh. He had enlisted in the air force in 2014, pledging himself to the service of the country. Life had not been kind to him — he had lost his father roughly 12 years ago. He is survived by his mother and two elder brothers, Ramakant and Bhupendra, who had always urged him to push ahead in life.
Baghpat's Prashant Singh Tomar Also Martyred
In the same accident, Flight Lieutenant Prashant Singh Tomar — from Kandera village in the Ramala police station area of UP's Baghpat district — also laid down his life. The moment news of his sacrifice reached the village, a wave of grief swept through the area and a mountain of sorrow descended on his family.
Commissioned as a Pilot Six Years Ago
According to relatives, Prashant Singh Tomar had been selected as a pilot in the Indian Air Force around 6 years ago. On the strength of his dedication, discipline and resolve to serve the nation, he had carved out a distinct identity for himself in a short span of time.
His Father Is an Army Veteran
Prashant's uncle, Pramod Tomar, said the family learnt of the accident in the afternoon. Prashant's father, Umesh Tomar, is retired from the army and currently lives in the Selaqui area of Dehradun, where he runs a business.
Schooled and Raised in Dehradun
The family said Prashant spent most of his schooling — from his early years right through to higher studies — living with his father in Dehradun. After completing his education, he began his service as a pilot in the Indian Air Force. One of two siblings, Prashant had married Aishwarya, a resident of Delhi, about two years ago.
