Malaysian Airline search ops: IAF aircraft on standby

New Delhi, March 12: The Indian Airforce has said that it is ready to put its aircraft in the search operations of the Malaysian Airline that is missing for 5 days.

"We have kept our aircraft on standby and as soon as we get a go ahead, we are ready to take off for search operations," said an IAF spokesperson.

The search area for the operation would be the Strait of Malacca, which is close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The IAF has its Dornier aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters on stand-by mode in the island territory. The Navy also assured that it is ready to deploy additional P-8I and the Tu-142 maritime surveillance aircraft too.

In fact, Malaysia has sought India's assistance in tracing the aircraft carrying 239 people. India, in turn, has appointed designated people share information and carry the matter forward.

India has a tri-service military command at Andaman and Nicobar islands and Navy and airforce carry out regular patrols in the area. While search operations by the Malaysian authorities since last Saturday failed, the expanse of the search has been expanded.