Indian ships and aircraft to cover more area in bay of Bengal in search of missing MH 370

Assets of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and IAF were deployed in a coordinated search of the area in South Andaman Sea for the missing Malaysian Airliner. Indian Navy was nominated as the lead service for the coordination of the operation. The joint effort was coordinated from Maritime Operations Centre of the Indian Navy at New Delhi. Specific areas were allocated by the Malaysian authorities for search by Indian ships and aircraft. Two ships of Indian Navy, INS Saryu and INS Kumbhir combed the designated areas in South Andaman Sea. INS Kesarihas replaced INS Kumbhirat for the search as it is also carrying an integral helicopter. In addition, two Coast Guard vessels also carrying out search along the coastline. Two Dornier aircraft of Indian Navy and Coast Guard were also carrying out aerial search in the vicinity of the Andaman coastline. The Malaysian authorities also requested for a search in the Bay of Bengal, expanse of which is approx. 9000 sq km (15 km X600 Km). This area is approx. 900 km due West of Port Blair. Search in this area was by the resources of Eastern Naval Command. The Joint Operations Room at Port Blair was activated to monitor the progress of the search operations. The Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command was nominated as Overall Force Commander of the Indian Forces.