Search for Missing IAF AN-32 Plane Continues, Army Deploys UAVs Over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
The Army has deployed its UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to search for the missing AN-32 transport aircraft over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
New Delhi, June 6: The search and rescue operation to locate the missing IAF AN-32 aircraft continued for the fourth day on Thursday. The plane which went missing on Monday, June 3, had 13 people onboard. According to a latest search update, the Army has deployed its UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to search for the missing AN-32 transport aircraft over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Also, the IAF’s Mi-17 choppers and other aircraft also being used for the operation. No wreckage has been sighted so far, officials informed. Missing IAF AN-32 Plane Had SOS Signal Unit That is Old and No Longer Produced.
On Wednesday, two each of SU-30s, C-130J, Mi17 helicopters and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) including one from the Army were deployed to locate the aircraft. Also, Navy's Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P8i and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellites were pressed into service to locate the plane but without any success, officials said.
On Monday, the Russian-origin AN-32 transporter took off from Assam's Jorhat at 12.27 PM for the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district. This district borders China. On Tuesday, IAF spokesman Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh told IANS in Shillong that there is no sign of the aircraft and the search and rescue operation is on full swing. On Monday, soon after the incident was reported, C-130 and An-32 aircraft, two Mi-17 (IAF) and Army ALH helicopters were launched to locate the plane.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2019 03:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).