Major general feared killed in helicopter crash

A major general and crew of an army helicopter were feared killed when the chopper crashed in a jungle in Nagaland's Phek district on Monday morning.

Official sources said the helicopter carrying Major General Keshav Singh, chief of staff, Third Corps, lost contact with ground control soon after it took off from the Rangapahar army base.

A report from Kohima said the helicopter crashed in a dense forest near Porba village.

An extensive ground and aerial search has been mounted to locate the helicopter, the defence ministry said.

The helicopter took off from Leimakhong, near Imphal, in Manipur and had to turn back towards Chakabhama owning to bad weather, said a ministry spokesperson. The helicopter was piloted by Capt Surjit Singh and Capt S Srivastava.

UNI