Indian Air Force Airlifts Rescue Team in Arunachal Pradesh

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Indian Air Force on Saturday airlifted the 15-member rescue team who were stranded in the crash site of the AN-32 aircraft after 18 days.

Shillong-based IAF Spokesman Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh informed that the 15 members of the rescue team comprising eight from IAF (including two officers), four from Army (including one officer) and three civilians were airlifted from the crash site using ALH and MI-17 V5 helicopters. “All the members who were taken to Aalo in West Siang district, are fit and in good health,” the spokesman said.

Singh said, the effort to airlift them was delayed due to inclement weather and rain, which improved slightly on Saturday evening, allowing the risky helicopter operations to be undertaken.

The IAF lauded the Indian Army, Arunachal Pradesh administration, the police and local civilians for their unflinching support in the search and rescue mission, the spokesman added.

The Russian AN-32 aircraft went missing 33 minutes after taking off from Assam’s Jorhat on June 3. It was headed to Mechuka in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh. The task of retrieving the 13 bodies from the crash site in the Pari mountain in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh was completed on June 20. While six bodies were retrieved on June 19, the remaining seven were retrieved the next day.

Also Read: IAF AN-32 Aircraft Rescuers Facing Tough Times