Itanagar: It has been more than 4 days already and there hasn’t been any trace of the missing Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft.
On Thursday, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu has called all the district administrations of Siang, West Siang, Lower Siang and Shi-Yomi to intensify search operation.
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.
The commissioners arranged three teams, consisting of three to four locals in each team, to trace the missing aircraft. The teams are deployed at Bayor adi Mountain range (in front of tumbin village), Pari adi mountain (in front of molo village) and Sibir- Virgong mountain range (between molo- tumbin).
Also read: Search operation for IAF AN-32 aircraft intensifies: Top highlights here
All these ranges fall under the Payum administrative circle and are in the line of the aircraft route. Necessary logistic support has been provided to rescue teams. Bayor adi team trekked the mountains on May 6 but in vain.
The IAF has left no stone unturned in the search on AN-32.
Fighter aircraft, C130, helicopters carrying specialised sensors and satellites have been deployed. All possible civil, police and local administrative agencies have further expanded search based on human and sensor inputs.
P8i, aircraft of the Indian Navy will again fly a sortie tomorrow morning as the weather is likely to improve slightly.
Several other search parties are scaling the difficult terrain on foot. Not only this, satellites data collected by aircraft are being analysed regularly.
Weather continues to pose a challenge, however, IAF remains committed to finding the missing aircraft.