Inclement weather affected the operations for tracing the missing Pawan Hans helicopter with air searches abandoned just after two hours as the fate of the three persons on board the chopper remained shrouded in mystery for the fourth day today.
Though ground search operations continued till 4:30 pm, the two IAF helicopters deployed to search the areas were grounded in view of bad weather conditions after flying for two hours.
"Two IAF choppers began search operation at 5.38 AM, but had to abandon it after two hours due to inclement weather," state Civil Aviation Secretary B M Mishra said.
"We are trying to utilize all available resources to locate the chopper as per available leads from the locals who claimed to have seen the chopper on the day of its missing. Despite our all-out efforts we have not succeeded till now," Mishra said.
Extensive search was today conducted by seven columns of Army along with IRB and state police personnel, besides locals braving inclement weather.
Sukhoi plane conducted several rounds of recce in the past two days, but failed to scan the area covered by dense forest.
The search operation was concentrated in the thick jungles between Sanliam and Dadam. Some search teams are camping in the jungles between these two villages as they are yet to cover the whole area where the chopper was reportedly sighted flying last, District Information and Public Relation Officer Dehang Bosai said.
The Dauphin chopper of state-run Pawan Hans went missing with Tirap DC 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 am on Tuesday.
The relatives of Dr Joshi including his wife Neha Joshi have already arrived at Khonsa.
Director General of Civil Aviation has ordered a preliminary inquiry into the incident, while Pawan Hans authorities deputed teams from New Delhi and Guwahati and ordered an internal inquiry.
The district administration has also announced incentives for villagers engaged in the search.
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Thursday evening reviewed the search operation with the chief secretary and senior government officials.
At the request of the state government, the Centre through its Home and Defence ministries are also extending support and assistance in the search operation, officials said.
In order to intensify the rescue and search operation, the state government has deputed Inspector General of Police N Payang and Civil Aviation Director Repo Ronya who reached Khonsa today.
In addition, deputy commissioners and SPs of neighbouring districts of Changlang and Longding had been directed to conduct search operations in their respective areas.
The overall monitoring is being done by Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi and DGP S Nithiyanandam, they said.
