New Delhi, India (BBN) - Security personnel on Wednesday found the wreckage of an Indian air force transport aircraft and recovered the charred bodies of all the 13 defense personnel killed in the mishap.
The aircraft crashed near a village in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh state soon after take off on Tuesday.
The aircraft had crashed over the Rinchi Hill above Heyo village, about 18 miles (30 kilometers) from Mechuka advance landing ground in the district located about 37 miles (60 kilometers) from the Indo-Chinese Line of Actual Control, State police and Indian Air Force (IAF) officials conformed.
In India, there are about 100 AN-32 aircraft. Sources informed that the last crash of the AN-32 where casualties took place was in 1999 in Delhi, where 22 people where killed. In March 2000, a similar crash took place in Arunachal Pradesh but there were no casualties.
As there is no road communication, the search team had to walk through dense jungles. The aircraft, AN 32, was carrying 13 personnel, including seven IAF men and six army personnel.
In India, there are about 100 AN-32 aircraft. The Economic Times, a local newspaper, reported quoting sources that the last crash of the AN-32 where casualties took place was in 1999 in Delhi, where 22 people where killed.
In March 2000, a similar crash took place in Arunachal Pradesh but there were no casualties.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-11June09-12:53 am (BST)