The found parts of the missing IAF plane AN32 near Lipo in Arunachal Pradesh. The IAF saidon Tuesday that its helicopter was undertaking search in the expanded search zone. On Twitter, IAF confirmed that the wreckage was spotted 16 km 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.
IAF also stated that efforts are underway to establish the status of occupants and establish survivors. “Further details will be communicated as the recovery actions progress,” IAF tweeted
As the search ops reached its third day, IAF deployed more resources to locate the aircraft. Two Sukhoi-30 were added to the fleet of C-130J and AN-32 planes and two Mi-17 and two ALH helicopters. The ground forces included personnel from the Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and state police.
The IAF also announced a cash award Rs 5 lakhs for the person or group who provide credible information leading to the finding of the aircraft. Meanwhile, three people from Tumbin village in Arunachal Pradesh claimed they had seen thick black seen originating from a mountain towards Molo village in Siang district on the afternoon the aircraft went missing.