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India locates objects during search for missing IAF plane

Reuters
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, IndiaUpdated: Jul 27, 2016, 10:04 AM IST
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The AN-32 plane with 29 on board was on its way to Port Blair in India's Andaman and Nicobar islands when it disappeared from the radar on Friday. (Representative image) Photograph:(Getty)
Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday (July 27) some objects were located during the search for its missing military plane that disappeared into the Bay of Bengal after taking off from the southern city of Chennai with 29 people on board.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) plane carrying 21 military personnel, six crew members and two civilians - was on its way to Port Blair, the capital of India's Andaman and Nicobar islands, when it disappeared from radar on Friday (July 22).

Speaking to reporters after a function in southern Rameswaram town, Parrikar said it was yet to be confirmed if the located objects were that of the missing plane.

"There is no confirmed report of anything but there are some objects located. The ships have been asked to verify them and unless something is positively located, it cannot be confirmed. As of now it is only indicated. We are not leaving anything to chances. So, we have asked ship to check up," Parrikar said.

Numerous ships, submarines and aircrafts are involved in extensive search for the plane that disappeared on a routine re-supply flight over the Bay of Bengal.

The aircraft was last detected on radar 151 nautical miles east of Chennai, making a left turn with a rapid loss of height from 23,000 ft, according to a note provided by the air force to the Defence Ministry.

The AN-32 is a workhorse of the air force, chosen for its ability to operate from short runways.

The air force has 101 of the AN-32s that entered service in 1984 and have gone through mid-life upgrades and life extensions since then

(Reuters)