The Asian Age

‘ Possibilit­y of sabotage is remote’

- AGE CORRESPOND­ENT

Describing the missing AN- 32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force “almost as good as new aircraft,” defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said the possibilit­y of sabotage in the mysterious disappeara­nce of the aircraft was “comparativ­ely very less.”

The minister informed the Rajya Sabha that India had also sought the help of the US in locating the plane.

Replying to clarificat­ions by members on the issue, the minister said all types of techniques are being used to locate the aircraft and he was personally monitoring the situation.

“We owe that much to the people, I have seen ( to it) that every family is kept in touch,” Mr Parrikar said.

Sharing the concern of members, the minister gave details of the operation being carried out for the last one week in trying to locate the plane. It was carrying 29 people and was flying from Tambaram in Tamil Nadu to Port Blair.

“I can’t speculate because we are searching for it... I will not like to speculate. But I can say only this much. The possibilit­y of any sabotage, although we are checking all angles, is comparativ­ely very less because they have standard operating procedures,” replied the minister as members raised questions over how the aircraft went missing.

Mr Parrikar said he had also spoken to several experts and former air chiefs, who were also “puzzled by the sudden disappeara­nce”.

 ?? — PTI, G. N. JHA ?? Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, BSP chief Mayawati and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi at Parliament House in New Delhi on Friday.
— PTI, G. N. JHA Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, BSP chief Mayawati and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi at Parliament House in New Delhi on Friday.
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