(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) India has officially started searching for the missing Malaysian aircraft following a request for help from the government of Malaysia, defence sources said Friday
"The focus of the missing plane search has shifted westward towards Andaman Sea. A formal request in this regard was received from Indian High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur," defence sources said
"With the search expanded to cover an area stretching from South China Sea to Andaman Sea, the Indian Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have been pressed into service for the search of the missing aircraft," sources added
The air effort for searching the area extensively will include two aircrafts, one helicopter, two maritime reconnaissance aircrafts, sources said
"Ships of Indian Navy and Coast Guard will be combing the area to locate the possible crash site. Both Navy and Air Force are also ready to reinforce their assets on short notice," sources revealed
Sources said Indian commander-in-chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command has been nominated as the overall force commander and Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff is coordinating the entire effort
"Indian Navy has been designated the lead Service," sources stated
"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 area indicated by Malaysia lies in the South Andaman Sea and is West of Great Nicobar Island," sources informed
The multinational hunt entered day seven for the Boeing 777 aircraft, which mysteriously disappeared from radar early Saturday morning while carrying 239 people en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. No solid leads about its whereabouts have been found so far
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