Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has deployed two P8i Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft with advanced electro-optics and radars, two Dornier aircraft and twelve ships with integral helicopters to join the search operations initiated to locate the Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft reported missing approx 300 km due East of Chennai .

• The AN-32 was on a routine sortie from Air Force Station Tambaram to Port Blair and reported to have 29 personnel onboard, including the crew.

• According to a report submitted to the Defence Minister by Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, the recorded transcript of Chennai air traffic radar showed last pickup of the aircraft was 151 nautical miles east of Chennai, when the aircraft was observed to have carried out a left turn with rapid loss of height from 23,000 feet.

• Four ships of ENC, which were deployed in the Bay of Bengal on different missions, have been diverted to the search area and eight ships of Eastern Fleet with Fleet Cdr embarked onboard, which are on return passage from the South China Sea, are also proceeding at best speed to join the search operations, said Defence Ministry statement.

• The IAF has pressed into service a C130 plane along with two AN32,Eleven air force personnel, two from army, nine from navy, one from Cost Guard and six crew members were on board the missing aircraft.