IAF Deploys C-130J, An-32, Mi-17 To Look For Missing AN-32 Aircraft

India has deployed C-130J, Mi-17 and An-32 aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Army's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to locate the IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft. 

The military transport aircraft lost contact with ground control at 1pm and is reported to have been carrying 13 persons on board. It took off from the Jorhat airbase in Assam and was heading to the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground, located in Mechuka Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.

"An IAF AN-32 took off from Jorhat at 1227 hrs for Menchuka ALG. Aircraft last contacted ground control at 1300 hrs. There was no further contact with the aircraft. Efforts are on to establish the whereabouts of the aircraft," the IAF said in a statement on Monday evening.

"Some reports of possible location of crash site were received, however, no wreckage has been sighted so far," the statement added.

Additional details are awaited.