IAF AN 32 aircraft: Arunachal CM directs to intensify search operation

IAF AN 32 aircraft: Arunachal CM directs to intensify search operation

Itanagar, June 07 (HS): Worried over the safety of the IAF crew and passengers flying in IAF AN 32 aircraft from Jorhat in Assam to Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh, which went missing on Monday, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has directed the district administrations of Siang, West Siang, Lower Siang and Shi-Yomi to intensify search operation.

It may be mentioned that the DCs of these districts are in close coordination with the IAF and helping them out with all possible means.

Deputy Commissioners of Siang and West Siang apprised Khandu about the steps initiated by them to trace the missing aircraft and said that they are working in close coordination with each other.

Meanwhile, defence sources on Thursday said that due to inclement weather search operation would not be carried out.

They arranged three teams consisting of 3/4 local in each team to trace out the missing Aircraft and the people onboard. The teams are for – 1 Bayor adi Mountain range (in front of Tumbin village) 2. Pari Adi mountain (in front of Molo village) 3. Sibir- Virgong mountain range (between Molo- Tumbin).

All these ranges fall under the Payum administrative circle and are in the line of Aircraft route. Necessary logistic support have provided to them. Bayor Adi team tracked yesterday but returned without any result, a statement issued from chief minister’s office (CMO) said.

Meanwhile, three persons of Tumbin village on Thursday said they had seen thick black smoke billowing from a mountain on Monday, the day an Indian Air Force aircraft carrying 13 people went missing, prompting authorities to verify the claim.

Three people from Tumbin village said that on Monday afternoon they had seen thick black smoke originating from a mountain towards Molo village in Siang district. “This is being verified,” Director General of Police S B K Sing informed the CMO.

The Russian-origin aircraft lost contact on Monday afternoon after taking off from Jorhat in Assam for Mechuka advanced landing ground near the border with China. Mechuka is also the headquarter of Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Each of the teams set up by the two district authorities consists of 3-4 local people and they will trek to Bayor Adi Mountain range near Tumbin village, Pari Adi mountain range near Molo village and Sibir-Virgong mountain range between Molo and Tumbin.

“Necessary logistical support have been provided to the teams. Bayor Adi team trekked yesterday and returned without any news,” an official said.

A joint effort by civil police, Army and Air Force is also in force to search the crash location in an area of about 2,500 square kilometre under Kaying and Payum circles of Siang district.

The Chief Minister also appealed to the villagers of the areas falling on the route of the aircraft to provide information, if they had any, to the nearest administrative headquarter or police outpost.