Search operation for missing chopper in Arunachal focusing on two spots

With slight improvement in the weather, the search operation for the missing Pawan Hans helicopter in Arunachal Pradesh resumed this morning with teams focusing on two locations near Dadam village.

As per data provided by Sukhoi images collected during its hour-long reccee yesterday, the Army and the district administration are concentrating the search operation in two locations near Dadam village, Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi told PTI.

"The search teams have zeroed in at a mountainous site near the river Terun Ku between Dadam village and Sanliam village.The search in that particular area has been propelled by some authentic sources received from some eyewitnesses belonging to Dadam and Thinsa villages," district information and public relation officer (DIPRO) D Bosai, who is a part of the rescue team, said.

Every effort is being made to locate the site of the place from where a blast-like sound emanated on Tuesday after the helicopter went missing with three persons on board, he added.

While the ground search operation by Army, IRBn, locals, panchayat leaders and district administration officials started since 4.30 a.m, Army and IAF choppers took off from Dibrugarh in Assam to carry search operation, state civil aviation secretary B M Mishra said.

"Another Sukhoi is likely to conduct reccee again today," Negi added.

The Dauphin twin-engine helicopter of Pawan Hans went missing with Tirap deputy commissioner Kamlesh Kumar Joshi and two pilots - Captain M S Brar and Captain Rajeev Hoskote, after it took off from Khonsa in Tirap district at around 10.45 a.m on Tuesday.

Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a preliminary inquiry into the incident, while Pawan Hans authorities deputed teams from New Delhi and Guwahati and ordered an internal inquiry.

State minister Wanglin Lowangdong and MLA Wanglam Sawin are closely monitoring the operation and visited Thinsa and Sanliam villages yesterday.

Civil Aviation minister Thangwang Wangham was hopeful that the missing chopper would be spotted soon.

The district administration has also announced incentives for the villagers engaged in search and rescue operation.