Sukhoi aircraft join search operations

Two Sukhoi-30 aircraft have completed aerial mapping over Arunachal Pradesh to get clues about the missing helicopter with chief minister Dorjee Khandu, a Congress leader said today.

Two Sukhoi-30 aircraft have completed aerial mapping over Arunachal Pradesh to get clues about the missing helicopter with chief minister Dorjee Khandu, a Congress leader said on Sunday.

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"The two Sukhois completed aerial mapping and have since landed in their base in Bareilly. The images would be analysed and then we expect something concrete," Congress legislator Likha Saaya said.

Saaya said this over telephone from the chief minister's office in Itanagar where he was taking part in a meeting attended by central ministers Mukul Wasnik and V. Narayanasamy.

Meanwhile, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has sent six teams, comprising 25 personnel each, to the state for search operations.

ITBP spokesman Deepak Pandey said the teams have been scouring the hilly terrain since 3.30 a.m. Sunday. "All ITBP border posts have also sent their rescue teams."

The Pawan Hans chopper with Khandu and four others went missing Saturday morning after taking off from Tawang.