India joins global search for Malaysian aircraft

New Delhi: Joining global efforts to locate the Malaysian plane, India on Thursday deployed four warships along with six aircraft including the latest special surveillance P-8I plane and three helicopters under the 'Operation Searchlight'.

India pressed its assets into service after a formal request from Indian High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur as the search expanded to cover an area stretching from South China Sea to Andaman Sea.

The Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command has been nominated as the Overall Force Commander and Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff is coordinating the entire effort between MoD and Services.

Indian Navy has been designated the lead Service.

The Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command, being the nodal agency, will assist Malaysia in all possible manner for the search in the area of Andaman Sea.

The Defence Crisis Management Group is also being activated to monitor the progress of the search operations at Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff, it added.

Four warships have been despatched from Andaman and Nicobar Command including INS Kumbhir, INS Kesari and INS Saryu from Navy and Coast Guard Ship Kanaklata Baruah to the areas specified by the Malaysian government, Navy officials said.

The Indian assets also include two Dornier aircraft from the Coast Guard and the Navy along with the P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft from INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu, they said.

The IAF has also deployed two of its latest C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from Hindan air base and it is expected to reach Port Blair very soon.

The Indian warships and planes were expected to join the effort late tonight in the 35,000 square km area identified by the Malaysian authorities for search operations, they said.

The Indian operations in the task are being handled by the Navy and instructions are being passed to the officials on ground from the Naval headquarters in Delhi, they said.

The tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command is providing the assets for the search operations.

(With additional inputs from PTI)