7 killed as IAF chopper crashes in U.P.

An Indian Air Force helicopter carrying seven personnel, including two crew members, crashed in a village in Sitapur district killing all on board.

The incident took place on Friday around 5 p.m. when the Dhruv helicopter nose-dived and burst into flames after hitting the ground.

Official sources said the pilot reported a technical glitch in the chopper, which was on its way from Bareilly to Allahabad, to the Lucknow air traffic control then it lost contact with ATC. It then plunged into a field under the Atariya police station in Sitapur.

The district administration rushed emergency services to the accident site and the authorities concerned, including those in the Indian Air Force, were alerted.

An IAF chopper was also rushed to the crash site, but it had great difficulty landing.

The advanced light helicopter had on board two pilots — a wing commander and a squadron leader — and five air warriors — a junior warrant officer, a sergeant, a leading aircraftman and two corporals.