Indian navy joins search for missing Malaysia jetliner

NEW DELHI - Indian Navy on patrol in the Malacca Straits are joining the search and rescue operations for Malaysia Airlines flight 370 that has been missing since Saturday, reported local daily Times Now online Tuesday.

The aircraft has reportedly disappeared over the Malacca Straits while attempting to fly back to Kuala Lumpur.

The Indian Navy's satellite Rukmini or GSAT-7 has also been activated to try and pick up any clue that may lead investigators to the missing Boeing 777-200 aircraft, said the report.

"Indian Navy ships are on routine patrol in the Malacca Straits. Our ships carry out coordinated anti-piracy patrols with the navies of countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. As per the laws of the sea, it is only natural that our vessels will participate in the search and rescue operations. The ships that have heli- components will use the aircraft for the operations. Though several navies patrol the busy shipping lines passing through the Malacca Straits, India has a strong presence there," an unnamed official was quoted as saying.