Parts of the mission Indian Air Force AN-32 Aircraft which went missing since 8 days have been found north of Lipo in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday. The IAF AN-32 went missing since June 3 soon after taking off from IAF Air Base in Assam’s Jorhat. Reportedly, the wreckage was spotted by Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force.
The Wreckage of the IAF Aircraft was reportedly found 15-20 Km away from the flight path that it took on June 3.
In an official statement, India Air Force said, ‘The wreckage of the missing AN-32 was spotted today 16 Kms North of Lipo, North East of Tato, at an approximate elevation of 12000 ft, by the IAF Mi-17 Helicopter undertaking search in the expanded search zone’.
‘Efforts are now continuing to establish the status of occupants & establish survivors. Further details will be communicated as the recovery actions progress’, it added.
However, the statement makes no mention of the 13 personnel who were traveling in the IAF jet.
The wreckage of the missing #An32 was spotted today 16 Kms North of Lipo, North East of Tato at an approximate elevation of 12000 ft by the #IAF Mi-17 Helicopter undertaking search in the expanded search zone..
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 11, 2019
A total of 13 personnel were on board with Pilot Ashish Tanwar was flying the IAF AN-32 Aircraft.
Intense Search Operation was carried out by the Indian Air Force in the last 8 days. Search Operation entered 9th Day on Tuesday which was carried by Security Forces, from the Indian Army to Indian Air Force. It had engaged a SU-30 Jet Fighter, C130 J, Mi17, ALH Helicopter and NTRP Spy Satellites in the intense Search Operations. The search Operation was affected because of the difficult terrain and bad weather.
Earlier on Saturday, The Indian Air Force announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for anyone with Information on the whereabouts about the missing Aircraft.
It should be noted that IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanao had on Saturday met and interacted with Families and Relatives of IAF personnel who were traveling on the IAF AN-32.
On June 3, the Russian-origin An-32 trasnporter took off from Assam’s Jorhat at 12.27 p.m. for the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi-Yomi district bordering China. The aircraft lost contact with the ground staff at 1.30 p.m.
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal R.D. Mathur is monitoring the search and rescue operations.
On June 8, the IAF announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for any information leading to the location of the missing aircraft.
To locate the aircraft, Mi-17 helocopters, Advanced Light Helicopters, SU-30 MKI, C130 and Army UAV were pressed into service.
The Indian Navy’s Long Range Maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8I and satellites were also used.
Besides, teams of the Indian Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police and other agencies were involved in the search operations on the ground level from the day the aircraft went missing.
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