New Delhi/Guwahati, June 10: With the search operation continued for missing AN-32 transport aircraft of Indian Air Force for the straight eighth days, aerial search operation continued with the help of helicopters and C-130s during the entire day. Though no traces of the wreckage could be found, Air Force had roped in seven mountaineers in the rescue mission, out which two have scaled Mount Everest.

Apart from the Indian Air Force, the district administration of Siang district has announced a Rs 50,000 reward to motivate people and local villagers to search for the aircraft. Earlier, IAF Air Marshal RD Mathur, AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command, on Saturday announced a cash award of Rs 5 lakhs for person/s or group who provide credible information regarding the transport aircraft. IAF's AN-32 Aircraft Search Operation Update: Air Marshal RD Mathur Announces Rs 5 Lakh Cash Prize to Person for Providing Credible Information

The IAF had also shared the contact details for people to connect if they site the wreckage of missing AN 32 transport aircraft. Releasing a statement on Saturday, a senior officer of IAF informed, "Finders may contact the Air Force on the following numbers - Landline: 0378-3222164, Mobile: 9436499477 / 9402077267 / 9402132477".

With the delay in finding the aircraft, the IAF collaborated with Indian Army personnel, ITBP, state police and members of the local population to get a glimpse of it. Also, the help of advanced helicopters like C-130 Super Hercules, SU-30s, C-130J, Mi17 helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) and P8i was taken, but the wreckage couldn't be traced. ISRO satellites too, was roped in but without any success.

As per the details, the rescue beacon (device designed to attract attention to a specific location), installed on board the missing plane is old and has not been in production for 14 years. Apart from this, the rescuers are not able to pick up signals from the emergency locator beacon fitted in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. IAF AN-32 Plane Disappearance: Search Operation Enters Eighth Day, 7 Mountaineers Roped In

On June 3, AN-32, with 13 onboard, stopped communicating with ground controllers at 1 pm. The aircraft had 13 persons on board, including six officers and seven others. The Russian-origin An-32 transporter took off from Assam's Jorhat at 12.27 pm for the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district bordering China.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2019 06:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).