3 killed as Indian border security force chopper crashes

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) helicopter on anti-Naxal duty crashed on the outskirts of Ranchi in Jharkhand state Wednesday, killing two pilots and a technician on board. The advanced light helicopter (ALH) Dhruv was going to Chaibasa from Ranchi when its engine caught fire and it crashed in Khunti jungle, pti reported quoting a senior BSF official as said. All three on board the Pawan Hans chopper, Captain Thomas, Captain S P Singh and technician Manoj Kumar Swain, were killed in the mishap, he said. A team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed in the area for anti-Naxal operation has been rushed to the area. Air Force too launched a rescue operation from Kalaikunda air base.