Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday told Parliament that India has sought help from the United States to locate the missing Indian Air Force flight. He said they had requested US to check whether their satellite to catch any signals from the aircraft, which went off the radar on July 22. "We are now contacting US [to check] whether their satellites have picked signals," he said, according to IANS. Parrikar, however, warned that the possibility may be low because of a thick cloud cover.
As search for the AN-32 transport flight enters its eighth day, the Union minister said the possibility of any sabotage behind the plane's disappearance was low. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Parrikar said he was "disturbed" by the incident that has left even experts "puzzled". He said: "I am also disturbed at such a sudden disappearance. I spoke with many air chiefs, other senior air force personnel, they also are puzzled by the sudden disappearance."
The defence minister further assured parliamentarians that maximum efforts were being made to bring down such cases of aerial accidents and that no plane unfit for flying was being flown. He also explained that the aircraft had nearly reached an area between Chennai and Port Blair where there is no radar coverage.
Parrikar reached Chennai on Saturday, July 23, to oversee the search and rescue operations for the IAF flight, which went missing en route to Port Blair from Tambaram, Chennai, with 29 people on board. It was due to land around 11.30 am on Friday, July 22, but has been missing since. Parrikar conducted an aerial survey, as well. Resources from the air force, Coast Guard and Indian Navy have been deployed to assist with the operations.
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!