Verifying objects found in AN-32 search: Manohar Parrikar

Chennai: With search for the missing AN-32 aircraft entering the sixth day, defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said experts are verifying whether some floating objects found in the Bay of Bengal were related to the missing IAF plane.

Sources said some 10 objects were found to be floating in the Bay of Bengal and are being verified by experts to check whether are related to the missing aircraft.

“One can't come to a conclusion just like that. They are being examined,” a source said.

Mr Parrikar told reporters that though there are no confirmed reports about the objects being related to the aircraft, the search teams are leaving no stone unturned to locate the plane. “There are no confirmed reports or anything. But some objects are located. The ships have been asked to verify that. We cannot confirm whether the objects are from the plane. They (Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard) are not leaving any chances,” he said replying to a question. “Unless something is positively located, it cannot be confirmed. As of now, it is only an indicator. We are not leaving anything to chances. So, we have asked the ships to check up,” he said.

The Sagar Nidhi vessel belonging to National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will soon join the search operations, sources said, adding that there are no traces of any oil slick that could have come from the aircraft. In New Delhi, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Anupam Banerjee said the search will continue but admitted that there were no signs of the aircraft so far.