Thiruvananthapuram: The mortal remains of the three Air Force personnel from Kerala, who perished in the AN-32 crash in Arunachal Pradesh early this month, were on Friday brought by a special aircraft from Jorhat air base in Assam.

The remains of Sergeant Anoop Kumar, hailing from Alancherry and Corporal Sharin from Anjarakandy in Kannur were taken to their hometowns for the final rites.

Air Marshal B Suresh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Air Command (SAC) was at the air base here to receive the mortal remains of Sergeant Anoop Kumar, who was the Flight Engineer of the AN-32 aircraft, a defence press release said.

Anoop Kumar's remains were kept at his alma mater, Yeroor Higher Secondary School, for the public to pay homage after which it was taken to his house in Alancherry for the last rites.

The body of Corporal Sharin was flown to Kannur for the last rites.

The remains of Squadron Leader Hariharan Vinod, who was the navigator of the AN-32 aircraft, was taken to Sulur in Coimbatore where it was received by the Air Officer Commanding AF station Sulur.

The last rites will be held with full military honours at Coimbatore.

The wreckage of the ill-fated aircraft was found on June 11 following intense aerial search to locate the crash site.

Rajnath Singh meets famlies

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday paid tributes to five of the 13 Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel who died in an An-32 crash in Arunachal Pradesh on June 3.

The Minister laid wreaths on the coffins wrapped in tricolour at the technical area of the Palam airport and met the distraught family members.

All 13 people on board died when the Russian-built transporter crashed while flying from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh.

"Paid tributes to brave air-warriors who lost their lives in the unfortunate An-32 crash," he tweeted.

"They served the nation with confidence and courage. I salute their sacrifice in the line of duty.

"Met with the families and friends of the deceased and shared my grief and heartfelt condolences with them.

"My thoughts and prayers are with them. May God give them strength to bear this monumental loss," the Minister said.