Satellite imagery points to objects, but missing AN-32 not traced yet

The search for the Indian Air Force’s AN-32 aircraft – which went missing over the Bay of Bengal en route to the Andamans with 29 defence personnel on board three days ago – was intensified on Sunday after the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) satellite imagery pointed to possible floating objects. Nothing concrete has been found yet. “Satellite imagery did give us some pointers to possible floating objects. The area indicated are being searched intensively by ships and aircraft. Nothing sighted as yet,” defence sources said. Twelve Naval ships, four Indian Coast Guard vessels, along with 17 aircraft from the IAF, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard have been mobilised for the search operations. “The weather improved marginally, thereby aiding deployment of additional assets and aiding intensification of the search in a larger area. The sea state, however, continues to be rough, making the conditions challenging,” a statement by the MoD said. “The depth of water there is about 3,500 metres and in some places it is even double that. As the depth increases, challenges also increase,” Eastern Naval Command Chief Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht said. He said the family members of the 29 defence personnel were being updated on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the IAF authorities have lodged a formal complaint with Tamil Nadu police over the missing AN-32 aircraft. The complaint has been lodged for legal purposes.