Indian air force, navy ready to search for missing Malaysian plane

Indian Air Force and the Navy have kept their aircraft on standby and are waiting for final instructions for taking part in the search operations for locating the missing Malaysian plane, said Indian Defense Ministry Wednesday.

"Indian aircraft, reconnaissance assets are ready and on standby. We are waiting for specific request from Malaysia before commencing operation," Defense Ministry officials told the media.

Malaysia's military has traced what could have been the passenger plane with 239 passengers onboard which was missing since Saturday to an area near India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to media reports.

Malaysian air force chief Rodzali Daud said an aircraft was plotted on military radar at 2:15 a.m. Malaysia time, 200 miles ( 320 km) northwest of Penang Island off Malaysia's west coast last Saturday.

It was not confirmed that the unidentified plane was Flight MH370.

Malaysia has called on India to help search for the plane. India said it has started the relevant process.