Arunachal CM Dorjee Khandu killed in chopper crash

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed Wednesday that the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu was killed in a helicopter crash, according to Times Now.

The chopper crashed between Kyela and Lobothang near Tawang district.

SM Krishna has said he is deeply saddened by the loss of Dorjee Khandu.

Three bodies were seen on Wednesday with the wreckage of a plane at a place on the path of the helicopter carrying Khandu Dorjee and four others had taken.

Earlier in the day, breaking information that is "not encouraging and not good news," Interior Minister P. Chidambaram said at a location between Lobothang Kyela and a party sent by the agent spotted circle what appears to be an airplane.

"They saw three bodies. This observation was made from a height. They have not been able to get to where the plane is (lying) crashed. The message was given to the nearest army post which is sending a team, "he told reporters.

Wednesday morning search operation for missing helicopter carrying Khandu focused on three areas along the Indo-Bhutan border.

"Based on information received by the satellite ISRO and the Sukhoi-30 aircraft, as well as information provided by some local people, search operations will now GG inNagar District Tawang, immediately south of Sela Pass called Forest Eagle's Nest and Phangrong Reserve District in Bhutan, "said Secretary of Home Ministry Joint Sambhu Singh.

Singh said: "Search operations are conducted by teams of the army, ITBP, SSB, Arunachal Pradesh Police, NDRF and grazers of Arunachal Pradesh. The Government of Bhutan has also deployed teams looking for his side of the border. "

The Pawan Hans AS350 B-3 helicopter carrying the Chief Minister took off from Tawang at 09:50 on Saturday. The last radio contact with the ground was about 20 minutes after takeoff while flying over Sela Pass along the Chinese border, perched at an altitude of 13,700 feet.