Magnets in sky look for missing MiG

The state-of-the-art infra-red sensors and magnetic devices are being used to penetrate through the thick jungle and locate either the pilots or the wreckage. So far, the IAF has flown over 120 sorties with the equipment aboard the helicopters, but without luck so far. The jet was on a routine training mission where Squadron Leader Khan was instructing Flying Officer Dahiya. The aircraft is feared to have crashed somewhere along the Indo-Bhutan border.

‘‘There were two aircraft and they were flying in formation. The other aircraft returned to base earlier since it was low on fuel. While carrying out some manoeuvres Khan and Dahiya suddenly went off the radar screen,’’ sources at the Air Force headquarters said.

Both the IAF and Army have launched joint operations with the Royal Bhutanese Army to try and locate the wreckage. The IAF is now relying on magnetic devices to pick out the wreckage and even satellite imagery of the area. ‘‘These magnetic devices are slung 30 metres under the helicopters and we hope to trace a part of the wreckage or any magnetic material,’’ a source said.

The MiG-21 trainer aircraft was flying some 100 kilometres west of Tezpur close to the Bhutan border when it went missing. Preliminary IAF investigations say there was nothing wrong with the aircraft.