An Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft with 13 people onboard has gone missing after taking off from an airbase in the northeastern state of Assam.
According to reports, seven Air Force officers and six air warriors were on board the Antonov An-32 as it headed for Menchuka Advance Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh.
The IAF has deployed Sukhoi-30 combat aircraft and C-130 Special Operations aircraft for the search mission.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh later confirmed the incident on Twitter.
Spoke to Vice Chief of @IAF_MCC, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria regarding the missing IAF AN-32 Aircraft which is overdue for some hours.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 3, 2019
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.
Sources say Azerbaijan Airlines flight was downed by Russian air defence system
Thousands mark 20 years after deadly Indian Ocean tsunami
Russia says it prevented Ukrainian plots to kill high-ranking officers
Israeli airstrike kills five journalists in central Gaza
