AN-32 Crash: Mortal remains Airlifted to Jorhat Air Base

Guwahati: The mortal remains of the 13 brave air-warriors have been recovered and sent to Air Force Station, Jorhat today evening at around 8.30 p.m.

Thereafter, the mortal remains will be sent to their hometown, where funeral as per service customs will be carried out.

Indian Air Force stands with the families and next-of-kin of all the air-warriors who lost their life in the line of duty. IAF thanks Indian Army, Indian Navy, NTRO, State administration and civil population for their unstinted support during search and rescue operations.

It is to be noted that on 03^rd June 2019, an IAF An-32 aircraft which took off from Air Force Station, Jorhat, Assam went missing with 13 air-warriors onboard.

On 11 Jun 19, the wreckage of the missing An-32 aircraft was found on a mountain slope in Arunachal Pradesh and all air-warriors died in the crash.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) officials on June 18, 2019, informed that Helicopters, including Mi17s, Cheetah and ALH had been unable to approach the site during the last three days, because of inclement weather in the valleys and cloud cover over the crash site. Retrieval operations require the steep mountainsides to be visible for the helicopters to safely hover close to the crash site and for operating crew to be able to see the personnel on the ground.

It is to be noted that IAF has actively coordinated with state administration at all levels.

A ground team comprising Garud commandos of the IAF, SF of Indian Army, civilian porters and hunters was already on its way to the accident site on foot. The first element of this trekking party reached the site late by Wednesday i.e 19 June 2019.

IAF spared no efforts and ensured that the mortal remains of the personnel in arms are retrieved at the earliest.

It may further be mentioned that the Army and Arunachal Pradesh State Administration have all along have provided unflinching support.

Also Read: AN-32 Crash: Retrieval operations on Standby due to inclement weather in Arunachal Pradesh