IAF aircraft goes missing: Search operation continues
New Delhi, June 4 (IBNS): No wreckage of the Indian Air Force's AN-32 transport aircraft, which went missing on Monday, have been recovered so far.
A search operation is going on to find the missing flight.
The flight went missing in Arunachal Pradesh after taking off from Jorhat airbase in Assam.
"An AN-32 got airborne today from Jorhat at 1227 hrs for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground. The aircraft last contacted ground agencies at 1300 hrs (approx). Thereafter, there was no contact with the aircraft," read the official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Since the aircraft did not reach the destination, overdue actions were initiated by Indian Air Force. A total of eight aircrew and five passengers were onboard the aircraft.
"C-130, AN-32 aircraft, two Mi-17 of IAF and Indian Army ALH helicopters were launched to locate the missing aircraft. Some ground reports were received on possible location of a crash site," the statement said.
Helicopters were routed to the location, however, no wreckage has been sighted so far.
The IAF is coordinating with Indian Army as well as various government and civil agencies to locate the missing aircraft.
The search operations from air and by ground parties of Indian Army are planned to continue through the night.
Spoke to Vice Chief of @IAF_MCC, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria regarding the missing IAF AN-32 Aircraft which is overdue for some hours.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 3, 2019
He has apprised me of the steps taken by the IAF to find the missing aircraft. I pray for the safety of all passengers on board.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier tweeted, "Spoke to Vice Chief of @IAF_MCC, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria regarding the missing IAF AN-32 Aircraft which is overdue for some hours. He has apprised me of the steps taken by the IAF to find the missing aircraft. I pray for the safety of all passengers on board."
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