, August 1: The latest development related to missing Indian Air Force AN 32 flight indicates that the aircraft was not fitted with underwater locator beacon. This could be the major reason why the plane could not be tracked, despite being missing for the past 10 days. Sources near to NDTV have learnt the AN 32 aircraft could not send signals about it whereabouts, due to the absence of the locator beacon which could send submarine signals.
The ill-fated flight had 29 personnel on the board, along with four officers. The plane was moving from Tambaram air base near Chennai to Port of Blair in Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is personally monitoring the ongoing search operation. He also gave a personal assurance to the family of Flight Lieutenant Kunal Barbette, promising them that the IAF would leave no stone unturned to find out the whereabouts of their missing son, and others who were on board of the flight.
IAF has also sought aid from United States intelligence department to ascertain the position of the flight. Defence Ministry has requested US to extract details of any signals received from the flight to its satellites placed in the region. (Source: www.india.com)
