Guwahati: In a major development to the rescue operation of the Indian Air Force AN-32 Aircraft crash site at Payum in Arunachal Pradesh, the induction of 15 mountaineers from helicopters was completed on Wednesday.
They are yet to reach the crash site due to inclement weather and terrain.
The team will be camping overnight due to difficult terrain and weather and will close into the crash site today.
As per Indian Air Force report, altogether 15 mountaineers have been inducted by Mi-17s and ALH , with all equipment.
Nine from Indian Air Force mountaineering team, four from the Indian Army and two civilian mountaineers.
It may be mentioned that the IAF AN-32 Aircraft lost its contact from the base on June 3, somewhere in Arunachal Pradesh after it took-off for Mechhuka Advance Landing Ground from Jorhat in Assam. A joint search operation by civil police, the Air Force and the army is underway in an area of about 2500 square kilometres falling under Kaying and Payum circle of Siang District in the state.
It may be mentioned that extensive efforts are on to locate the Indian Air Force AN-32, which went missing since June 3, 2019.
The aircraft got airborne from Jorhat Airfield for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground. Once the aircraft did not report at the destination, overdue actions were initiated.
Indian Air Force commenced extensive search and rescue operations and launched C-130, AN-32, Mi-17 and ALH (Indian Army) helicopters. The aircraft is equipped with advanced sensors. Indian Navy P-8 I aircraft joined the search operations today.
CARTOSAT AND RISAT satellites of ISRO are also taking images of the area. Post sunset, search by helicopters have ceased for the day. However, search by all sensors with night capability and the ground party will continue throughout the night.
All possible assistance is being provided by Indian Army, Indian Navy, Police and State administration. The families of all air-warriors on board the aircraft have been informed and are being regularly updated on the progress of the search for the missing aircraft.