AN-32 crash victims’ bodies recovered: IAF

New Delhi, June 20

Bodies of 13 Air Force personnel, who died in the AN-32 aircraft crash near Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh on June 3, have been recovered, the Indian Air Force said today. The bodies have been taken to the Air Force Station in Jorhat from where they would be sent to their hometowns tomorrow.

The wreckage of the missing aircraft was located by a Mi-17 helicopter on June 11, following which an operation to search for the bodies or possible survivors was launched. A team was heli-dropped that reached the crash site on June 13.

Bad weather had affected the airlifting of bodies since June 14. Since helicopters were unable to operate to the crash site at an altitude of 12,000 feet, the IAF had opted for an uncharted route through dense forests and sent a team of porters and hunters on foot on June 18. — TNS