India deploys advanced planes to trace jet

India on Friday deployed two of its front-line surveillance aircraft in Kuala Lumpur to take part in the international search for the missing Malaysian airliner in the South Indian Ocean region.

“A C-130J Super Hercules of the Indian Air Force and a long-range maritime surveillance aircraft P-8I of the Navy have been dispatched to Kuala Lumpur to augment the search and rescue operations there,” said a Defence Ministry release.

Stating that India has pledged its full support to the Malaysian government in the search operations, it added that the Indian crew was being briefed by Malaysian authorities.

“Once the search areas are indicated, these aircraft will commence the operations from tomorrow (Saturday). HQ Integrated Defence Staff is in touch with the Indian Defence Attaché at Malaysia and coordinating the operations that are likely to continue for some time,” it said.