The Indian Air Force on Wednesday refuted reports that it had found the debris of its advance light helicopter which was reported missing on July 4, ANI reported on Wednesday. A public relations officer for the Air Force said several news organisations were showing visuals of the purported crash site of the missing aircraft. The aircraft, with three people on board, was reported missing near Sagalee in Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh.
“Prima facie it appears that the photo is not of the missing ALH and in any case not from official sources,” the spokesperson said adding that the search operation will continue. “Certain leads that the ground parties obtained will be intensively searched once the weather clears tomorrow.”
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had told ANI that the whole state machinery was “geared up” to locate the missing helicopter. Rijiju said the chopper missing was on a rescue mission in turbulent weather. The helicopter had been deployed to help people stranded because of a road blockage between Sagalee and Itanagar, ANI reported. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and state government officials are mobilising local residents to locate it.
This is not the first time an IAF aircraft has gone missing this year. On May 23, an IAF Sukhoi fighter jet went missing with two crew members on board. The wreckage was found three days later. The aircraft had disappeared after taking off from the Tezpur Salonibari Air Force station in Assam at 10.30 am, on a routine training sortie.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!