IAF's AN-32 aircraft with 13 onboard missing after taking off from Assam's Johrat
Johrat, Jun 3 (IBNS): An Indian Air Force aircaft, which took off from Assam's Jorhat with 13 people onboard, went missing on Monday.
The AN-32 got airborne from Jorhat at 12:27 hrs for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground.
The aircraft last contacted ground agencies at 1300 hrs (approx), an IAF statement said.
Thereafter, there was no contact with the aircraft.
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 the possible location of a crash site.
Helicopters were routed to the location, however, no wreckage has been sighted so far.
The IAF is coordinating with the Indian Army as well as various government and civil agencies to locate the missing aircraft.
The search operations from the air and by ground parties of Indian Army are planned to continue through the night.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed that he spoke to Vice Chief of IAF, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria regarding the missing IAF AN-32 Aircraft.
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.
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