A reward of Rs 5 lakh was announced for anyone provides credible information to help locate the missing Antonov AN-32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The reward was announced by the IAF, which has been trying to locate the missing aircraft for the last five days.
“Air Marshal RD Mathur, AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command, has announced a cash award of Rs 5 lakhs for the person(s) or group who provide credible information leading to finding of the missing AN-32 transport aircraft,” Defence PRO, Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh, said on Saturday.
Phone numbers for sharing information relating to the aircraft are – 9436499477/9402077267/9402132477.
The IAF AN-32 went missing with 13 personnel onboard in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday
Search for the missing aircraft will enter the sixth day today afternoon.
On Thursday, 6 June, the IAF had informed that it has further intensified and expanded the search for the missing AN-32.
“Fighter aircraft, C130, Helicopters, aircraft carrying specialised sensors, satellites and all possible civil, police and local administrative agencies have further expanded search based on human and sensor inputs,” the IAF said in a tweet.
The Indian Navy had on Tuesday also deployed its long-range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P8I to join the rescue operation for the missing flight.
The IAF, in a series of tweets, said, “No effort is being spared to locate the missing aircraft. P8i, aircraft of #IndianNavy will again fly a sortie tomorrow morning as the weather is likely to improve slightly.
ISRO too was brought in to enhance the effectiveness of the search operations.
Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa is visiting Air Force Station Jorhat in Assam to review the ongoing search and rescue operations for the AN-32 transport aircraft.
Read More: Air Chief BS Dhanoa visits Assam to review search and rescue operations
The AN-32 transport aircraft had disappeared hours after it took off from Assam’s Jorhat airbase for Menchuka Advance Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh.
The IAF aircraft had last contacted ground sources at 1 pm after taking off from Jorhat airbase at 12.25 pm. The Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground is located near the China border.
Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft and C-130J aircraft were immediately scrambled on a search mission to locate the missing aircraft. Mi-17 and ALH helicopters were also pressed into service.
Search parties have set out on foot in likely directions to locate the aircraft and its occupants.
The transport aircraft was flying from Jorhat to the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground. Mechuka is a small town in Arunachal’s West Siang district bordering China.
Of the 13 personnel, seven are officers and the rest air warriors.