GUWAHATI: The multi agency operations to locate the missing AN-32 aircraft of Indian Air Force continued for the fourth day with no trace of the plane till Thursday evening.
Official sources however said that the search by IAF and Indian Army helicopters was adversely affected by localised weather in the valleys.
The area of search has been expanded and more assets including smaller and more manoeuvrable helicopters like Cheetah have been included in the rescue mission so as to approach areas inaccessible by bigger helicopters or individuals on foot, the sources said.
“Besides, all leads from airborne sensors including by Indian Navy are being closely assessed and followed-up with search by aircraft and ground teams. The search will continue through the night,” the official statement said.
On Wednesday too, efforts to trace the missing aircraft were hindered by inclement weather.
IAF had intensified efforts to locate the missing aircraft since Tuesday, a day after the plane with 13 air warriors on board took off from Jorhat airbase in Assam for Mechuka advance landing ground on Arunachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon and lost contact.
