Officials said a massive search operation was underway. (Reuters/File)An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft with 13 people on board went missing Monday while flying over Arunachal Pradesh. Officials said a massive search operation was underway.
The aircraft, which took off from Jorhat in Assam around 12.30 pm, was scheduled to land an hour later at Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh's newly created Shi Yomi district. The weather over the region was turbulent Monday, and the AN-32's last contact with ground staff was at 1 pm.
The 13 on board the aircraft comprise six officers, five airmen and two non-combatants (enrolled). Shi Yomi borders China to the north and is one of the remotest locations in the Himalayan state.
IAF PRO Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh said: “An AN-32 got airborne today from Jorhat at 1227 hours for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground. The aircraft last contacted ground agencies at 1300 hours (approx). 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 on board the aircraft.”
He said no civilian was on board. IAF aircraft C-130, AN-32, two Mi-17 helicopters and Indian Army ALH helicopters were trying to locate the missing aircraft.
The IAF spokesperson said the aircraft had not been located until Monday evening. “Some ground reports were received on possible location of a crash…
