Indian Air Force aircraft goes missing after take-off

An Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft with 13 people onboard has gone missing after taking off from an airbase in the northeastern state of Assam.

According to reports, seven Air Force officers and six air warriors were on board the Antonov An-32 as it headed for Menchuka Advance Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh. 

The IAF has deployed Sukhoi-30 combat aircraft and C-130 Special Operations aircraft for the search mission. 

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh later confirmed the incident on Twitter.

Spoke to Vice Chief of @IAF_MCC, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria regarding the missing IAF AN-32 Aircraft which is overdue for some hours.

He has apprised me of the steps taken by the IAF to find the missing aircraft. I pray for the safety of all passengers on board.

— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) June 3, 2019