GUWAHATI: Extensive operations continued for the second day to locate the AN-32 aircraft of Indian Air Force that went missing after it took off from Jorhat in Upper Assam en route to Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon.
An official statement issued to the media on Tuesday evening said Indian Navy P-8 I aircraft also joined the search operations along with C-130, AN-32 aircraft Mi-17 and ALH (Indian Army) helicopters which were deployed yesterday. The aircraft are equipped with advanced sensors.
“CARTOSAT and RISAT satellites of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are also taking images of the area. Post sunset, search by helicopters ceased for the day. However, search by all sensors with night capability and ground party will continue throughout the night,” the statement said.
All possible assistance is being provided by Indian Army, Indian Navy, police and state administration.
“The families of all air-warriors on board the aircraft have been informed and are being regularly updated on the progress of search for the missing aircraft,” it added.
The AN-32 aircraft had got airborne from Jorhat Airfield for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground with 13 persons on board at 12.27pm on Monday.
The aircraft last contacted ground agencies at 1300 hours (1pm) and thereafter there has been no contact Once the aircraft did not report at the destination, overdue actions were initiated.
Speaking on the space constraint, he urged the contractor to complete the additional building so that other facilities of the hospital could be housed at the additional building.