PeterGriffin
Elite
Eleven people -- two pilots and nine trainee pilots -- were killed Friday when an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter crashed after an explosion on board near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said that the explosion on board the chopper occurred minutes after its take-off from the Tawang helipad at around 12 noon. The helicopter was en route to Guwahati.
IAF officials said the wreckage of the medium-lift chopper has been located by the Army in Bomdir area.
Three bodies have been recovered so far, Kalia said adding, a search is on for the remaining bodies.
The officials said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has condoled the deaths.
Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said that the explosion on board the chopper occurred minutes after its take-off from the Tawang helipad at around 12 noon. The helicopter was en route to Guwahati.
IAF officials said the wreckage of the medium-lift chopper has been located by the Army in Bomdir area.
Three bodies have been recovered so far, Kalia said adding, a search is on for the remaining bodies.
The officials said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has condoled the deaths.