IAF retrieves stranded rescue team from AN-32 crash site

Guwahati, June 29 (IANS): The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday evening retrieved all the 15 members of the search and rescue team engaged in the search of the AN-32 aircraft who got stranded in the crash site along the Indo-China border, said defence spokesperson Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh.
Singh said the 15-member search and rescue team was camping at the crash site since June 12 due to bad weather and rains. “All the 15 members of the team, including eight from the IAF, four from the Army and three other civilian rescuers, were retrieved today using ALH and Mi-17V5 helicopters,” Singh said, adding that the effort to retrieve them was delayed due to inclement weather and rain.

“The weather condition improved slightly today, allowing the risky helicopter operations to be undertaken. We did that and the team was retrieved,” he said.