Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, July 22: The Andaman and Nicobar Command joined the search operation for missing AN32 Aircraft, which went missing this morning with 29 people onboard.
As per details available from ANC, the plane took off from the Tambaram Air Force base near Chennai at 8.30 AM and was heading for Port Blair but on the way all contacts with the place were lost. The last HF contact is said to be at 8.45 AM.
“Aircraft Overdue procedures were initiated by the Command when the aircraft did not report to the ATC Port Blair. Three aircraft, ten Naval ships and four Coast Guard ships at ANC mounted search operations in the Bay of Bengal, in conjunction with Eastern Naval Command based at Visakhapatnam,” Col. Yogesh Sharma, the Public Relations officer of Andaman and Nicobar Command told Andaman Sheekha today.
“The aircraft had taken off from Tambaram at 0830 hrs and was scheduled to arrive at Port Blair around 1140 hrs. 23 passengers who included service personnel and defence civilians were embarked on the aircraft. In addition, the Air crew consisting of six IAF personnel were also on board,” the PRO said.
AN-32 is the most trusted Transport Aircraft of Indian Air Force and entire Andaman and Nicobar Command, situated nearly 1200 km away from Mainland India, depend largely on the supplies brought by this aircraft thrice a week.
The Aircraft also transports defence staffs of Tri-Service Command whenever possible.
India’s Southernmost Air Force Base at Car Nicobar also gets supplies from this aircraft, which comes from Tambaram Air Force base to Car Nicobar Air Force Base via Port Blair’s Naval Air Base INS Utkrosh, thrice a week.
2004 Tsunami ravaged, Car Nicobar’s Air Force is presently no family base.
Highly placed sources have informed that out of 29 people onboard six are crew members (including 3 officers), there are 11 other IAF personnel (including one officer), two Army Jawans, One Coast Guard sailor and eight naval civilians.
National media units reported today that on 14th July the aircraft had reported pressure leak from Port door, on 7th July Hydraulic leak from Port Wing Root and 2nd July the aircraft had reported ‘Throttle movement sluggish’.
Till last report poured in the Andaman and Nicobar Command said that it received no lead in the search operation.
“No news till now,” said Col Yogesh Sharma this evening.
Earlier Andaman and Nicobar Police also helped the ANC in alerting Navy Jawans to report to duty immediately by making mike announcement across Port Blair city through Police Control Room Vans.
A large number of people gathered at sea shore to see more Navy and Coast Guard ships leaving Port Blair port for the search operation at around 3.00 PM.
Meanwhile all Islanders are praying for the safe return of all the crew members and passengers of the missing aircraft. Social media is now flooded with prayers messages for the Air Force aircraft.
May nothing wrong would have gone with these safeguard providers of the nation and it’s hoped that the almighty God bring our soldiers safely to their lives. Let’s hope and pray for their best.