"The Malaysian authorities have now indicated that based on investigation, the search operations have entered a new phase and a strategy for further searches is being formulated. Accordingly, search operations have been suspended and all Indian assets earmarked for search and rescue operations have been placed on standby," a defence release here said.
So far no sighting or detection has been reported by the units deployed for searches in various designated areas, it said.
India had deployed numerous assets of the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard to search for the missing aircraft with 239 people on board.
Additional naval assets from the ENC were kept standby for immediate deployment.
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Earlier, Andaman and Nicobar Command spokesperson Colonel Harmit Singh said the search operations have been put on hold and "we are awaiting fresh instructions from Malaysia."
The aircraft of the force have not flown since morning including the P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft and the C-130J Super Hercules special operations aircraft of the IAF, Navy officials said.