New Delhi, Sep 2 - The Indian Air Force (IAF) Wednesday evening pressed into service a frontline Sukhoi SU-30MKI combat jet that has night vision capabilities to locate the missing helicopter carrying Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

'Due to its better imagery and night vision capabilities, a Su-30 MKI has been pressed into service. It can look through the cloud and foliage cover in the area,' an IAF spokesman said.

Reddy's helicopter went missing at 9.35 a.m. soon after taking off from Hyderabad in inclement weather.

'Four helicopters had been deployed today (Wednesday) for the rescue mission.