Indian Air Force announces Rs 5 lakh reward for information on missing AN-32 aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for anyone who provides credible information on the Antonov An-32 aircraft that went missing with 13 personnel onboard in Arunachal Pradesh.

A massive search operation has been launched by the Indian Air Force to locate the missing plane. However, the An-32 aircraft has now been missing for 6 days and troops have failed to locate the aircraft despite repeated attempts.

Defence PRO, Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh, confirmed on Saturday that Air Marshal RD Mathur, AOC-in-charge, Eastern Air Command, has announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh which will be given to any person or group providing credible information that could help in locating the missing AN-32 aircraft.

“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.

Air Marshal RD Mathur made the announcement for the cash reward along with a few numbers which people can use to contact the air force and provide any updates about the missing plane. The numbers are 0378-3222164, 9436499477, 9402077267 and 9402132477.

Meanwhile, the IAF has been unable to locate the aircraft despite deploying its best resources due to inclement weather.

Resources from various agencies including ISRO were brought in to enhance the effectiveness of the search operations but no breakthrough has been made yet.

“Resources from various agencies including ISRO were brought into the operation to enhance its effectiveness. The area of search is mountainous and heavily forested with thick undergrowth,” the IAF said in a statement.

The Russian-origin AN-32 transport aircraft took off from Assam’s Jorhat at 12.27 pm last Monday for the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh.

However, it lost contact with ground control by 1 pm. Eight crew members and five passengers were onboard the aircraft.

Source: India Today