The Indian Air Force has confirmed that the wreckage of the missing AN32 aircraft which was carrying 13 members on board has been found 16 Kms North of Lipo and North East of Tato, in a remote area in Arunachal Pradesh.
As per local sources, the wreckage is found in Gate village in Payum area of West Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh. It was spotted by the IAF Mi-17 helicopter, 16Km North of Lipo, at an approximate elevation of 12000 ft. The IAF has stated that efforts are on to estabilish the status of any possible survivors.
The wreckage of the missing #An32 was spotted today 16 Kms North of Lipo, North East of Tato at an approximate elevation of 12000 ft by the #IAF Mi-17 Helicopter undertaking search in the expanded search zone..
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 11, 2019
The IAF has found the debris of the AN-32 aircraft after 8 days of search. The aircraft had gone missing on June 3 after it got airborne from Jorhat in Assam at around 1225 hrs for Menchuka Advance Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh. It was reportedly carrying 13 people on board.
However, the IAF has so far not mentioned about the fate of the 13 people on board. The IAF carried out intense search operations since the aircraft had gone missing. After 8 excruciating days of search operations, the wreckage of the aircraft has finally been spotted.
The families of the 13 missing personnel have been stationed in Assam in anticipation of any news about the jet or its passengers. The IAF is now continuing its efforts to establish the status of occupants and ascertain survivors.
As per ANI’s report, the location where the parts of the AN-32 aircraft have been spotted is approximately 15-20 KMs north of the flight path to Arunachal Pradesh.
The location of the parts of aircraft, believed to be that of missing AN-32, is 15-20 kilometers north of the flight path of the AN-32 aircraft in Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper teams were involved in this mission. https://t.co/UCTC7QQiqi
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2019
While the ground operations continued, the aerial search operations were stalled for 2 days this week due to inclement weather conditions. The Air Force had on Saturday announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh to anyone providing with the whereabouts of the missing AN-32 aircraft.
