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Guwahati: In a major development to the rescue operation and recovery of the mortal remains of the India Air Force (IAF) personnel on board the ill-fated Indian Air Force's AN-32 aircraft that crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, IAF informed that Helicopters, including Mi17s, Cheetah and ALH have 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, stated IAF officials in a press statement.
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 is already on its way to the accident site on foot. The first element of this trekking party is likely to reach the site late by Wednesday i.e 19 June 2019.
IAF further stated that No efforts are being spared by IAF personnel to ensure 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.
Earlier, Shillong-based IAF spokesman Ratnakar Singh said the rescue operation, which commenced early Saturday morning, could not progress further due to inclement weather at the crash site.
The Recovery
The wreckage of the missing AN-32 was located by a Mi-17 helicopter on 11 Jun 2019, following which the team of 15 mountaineers was dropped near the crash site the very next day. Later, three more mountaineers joined the rescue team. The mortal remains of the Air Warriors, FDR and CVR were recovered at the site.