Extensive efforts are on to locate an Indian Air Force An-32, with eight crew members and five passengers on board. The aircraft took off from Jorhat Airfield and was headed to Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground, 40 km from the Line of Actual Control - the de facto border between India and China.

New Delhi (Sputnik): A day after an Indian Air Force's An-32 aircraft went off radar screens near the Chinese border, the remote sensing satellites of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Naval P-8I spy planes have been pressed into service. 

"Indian Navy P-8 I aircraft joined the search operations today (4 June). CARTOSAT and RISAT satellites of ISRO are also taking images of the area", the Indian Air Force (IAF) stated on Tuesday evening.

Earlier on Monday, the IAF launched C-130, An-32 transport aircraft, Mi-17 helicopters, and Indian Army helicopters. The aircraft are equipped with advanced sensors.

The IAF claimed that a search operation is underway by all sensors with night capability and that a ground party will continue throughout the night. All possible assistance is also being provided by Indian Army, Indian Navy, Police and State administration.

"The families of all air-warriors on board the aircraft have been informed and are being regularly updated on the progress of search for the missing aircraft", the IAF stated, adding that eight members of the crew and five passengers were on board the aircraft.