IAF's AN-32 with 13 on board goes missing after taking off from Assam's Jorhat airbase

GUWAHATI: IAF's AN-32 transport aircraft carrying 13 people on board went missing about half-an-hour after taking off from Jorhat in Assam.
The aircraft with eight crew members and five passengers took off at 12.27pm from IAF's Jorhat air base for the Menchuka advance landing ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh.
PIB statement said that the aircraft last contacted the ground agencies around 1pm.
"Thereafter there was no contact with the aircraft. Since the aircraft did not reach the destination, overdue actions were initiated by IAF," the statement said.
Union defence minister Rajnath Singh tweeted that he spoke to vice chief of IAF, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria regarding the missing IAF AN-32 aircraft which was overdue for some hours.

"He has apprised me of the steps taken by the IAF to find the missing aircraft. I pray for the safety of all passengers on board," the defence minister tweeted.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft, an AN-32 aircraft, two Mi-17 helicopter of IAF and Army's Advanced Light Helicopter were launched to locate the missing aircraft.
"Some ground reports were received on possible location of the crash site. Helicopters were routed to the location. However, no wreckage has been sighted so far. IAF is coordinating with the Army as well as various government and civil agencies to locate the missing aircraft. The search operations of Indian Army are planned to continue through the night," the statement said.

Unconfirmed sources said that the crash site is most likely in West Siang district. An Army defence official said that search party has been sent to locate the crash site. "At the moment we cannot say anything with certainty till search party confirms the location."
In 2009, IAF's AN 32 also carrying 13 personnel (seven IAF and six from the Army) on board crashed during a routine sortie in Arunachal Pradesh's West Siang district. The aircraft crashed over Rinchi hill in Heyo village after it took off from Mechuka, which was about 30 Km from the crashed site. It was on its way to Mohanbari in Assam. Also in 2000, an AN-32 crashed at the advanced landing ground in Arunchal Pradesh's Vijaynagar.