Saturday, November 2nd, 2024

IAF plane went missing in 1968, now after 56 years Indian Army found 4 bodies


New Delhi: The Indian Army has found four more bodies in a plane crash near Rohtang Pass in 1968. This accident happened 56 years ago. A military expedition team recovered these bodies from the snow-covered mountains. This operation was part of a larger operation named ‘Chandra Bhaga’. This accident happened on February 7, 1968. When Indian Air Force’s AN-12 aircraft which took off from Chandigarh with 102 passengers crashed due to bad weather. For decades, the plane’s wreckage and the remains of the victims remained lost in the snowy terrain.

The search operation was going on for a long time

In 2003, climbers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering discovered the wreckage of the plane. After this, the army, especially the Dogra Scouts, conducted many operations. Dogra Scouts were at the forefront of the search operations conducted in 2005, 2006, 2013 and 2019. By 2019, only five bodies had been recovered.

The soldiers reached the Naxalite stronghold after walking 120 km, crossing 12 overflowing drains, this is how they encountered the top leader, the reward was Rs 25 lakh.

Three soldiers identified

This time, out of the four bodies found, three were found safe while the remains of the fourth were found. Three army personnel have been identified from the documents found with them. These soldiers are Sepoy Narayan Singh (AMC), Malkhan Singh (Pioneer Corps) and Thomas Cherian (CEME).

Dogra Scouts conducted the operation

An official said, ‘The identity of the fourth person could not be established from the documents found on his/her body, but his/her family members have been traced.’ he/she further said, ‘Chandra Bhaga operation has once again proved how determined the Army is to console the families of its soldiers. Dogra Scouts, famous for their expertise in high altitude operations, have led this expedition.

Search campaign will run on October 10

The official said, ‘The recovery of these bodies has brought relief to the families who had been waiting for decades. The search for the remains of other passengers continues. This campaign will run till October 10. The operation was carried out in collaboration with representatives of Dogra Scouts and Triranga Mountain Rescue.

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