TIA NEWS
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that maximum efforts are being made to search the missing courier aircraft of Indian Air Force. The aircraft with 29 people on board disappeared on 22nd of July soon after taking off from Chennai’s Tambaram airbase for Port Blair.
Responding to members’ concern about the missing aircraft in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Parrikar said, there was no SOS call from the aircraft, which went out of the radar coverage suddenly. He informed the members that the aircraft was fly- worthy and it was as good as a new aircraft. It was considered as one of the safest aircraft and used to make sorties thrice a week between Chennai and Port Blair.
The Defence Minister said, the US authority has also been requested to share any signal of the missing aircraft if available on their satellite in the area. Mr Parrikar said, 23 different items have been noticed during the search operation of them 17 are visuals but of no help in locating the missing aircraft. The Defence Minister also said, there is least possibility of sabotage behind the disappearance of the aircraft. He said, he is personally monitoring the situation.