REVEALED missing IAF plane case: There may be survivors; airman's phone found active 5 days after crash

New Delhi: In a major twist in the missing IAF plane case, the family members of one of the personnel on board the aircraft has said that his mobile phone was still active even five days after the supposed crash.

Airman Raghubir Verma's relatives told India Today that his mobile phone was ringing and his whatsapp status showed that it was last seen on 26th of July.

The IAF plane had gone missing on 22nd July, triggering a massive search and rescue operation.

The latest development has raised hopes of his family members that he may have survived the crash.

The family has reportedly shared the airman's mobile details both with the air force and with the criminal investigation department.

Citing sources, the report said that the phone details of the airman are now being examined by the IAF.

This fresh lead has made the case more complex and deepened the mystery.

Currently, there are several aircraft, ships and submarines, including private planes that are looking for debris in the Bay of Bengal region.

An international safety network has also been activated to alert merchant ships passing through the area to look out for survivors and debris.

The Andaman and Nicobar Command of the defence forces said it is keeping a watch for it even beyond the search zone.