(Image source from: The News Minute)

After nine days of the around-the-clock search operation for the missing AN-32 aircraft, the security forces have finally succeeded in locating the military plane.

According to the statement issued by the Indian Air Force (IAF), parts of the ill-fated military plane has been recovered from north of Lipo region in Arunachal Pradesh.

The IAF, which had deployed MI-17 chopper for aerial surveillance on Tuesday, spotted the wreckage of AN-32 aircraft nearly 16 kilometers to the north of Lipo region.

"The wreckage of the missing AN-32 was spotted today 16 Kms North of Lipo, North East of Tato at an approximate elevation of 12,000 feet by the IAF Mi-17 Helicopter undertaking search in the expanded search zone," the IAF said in its statement.

The wreckage of the missing #An32 was spotted today 16 Kms North of Lipo, North East of Tato at an approximate elevation of 12000 ft by the #IAF Mi-17 Helicopter undertaking search in the expanded search zone..

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 11, 2019

The AN-32 aircraft had gone missing on June 3, shortly after taking off from Jorhat at around 12:27 p.m., and was scheduled to reach Mechuka at 1:30 p.m. However, it went off radar nearly 33 minutes after the take-off.

A total of 13 people were on board the plane, which is used by the IAF for transportation purpose. All of them are feared to be killed in the accident.

By Sowmya Sangam