2nd Army copter crash in Arunachal in 3 weeks, 4 killed

GUWAHATI: Four defence personnel were killed and one was reported missing after a Dhruv advanced light helicopter of the Army crashed early on Friday in a remote area of Upper Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh, making it the second air disaster in the northeastern frontier state in less than three weeks and the 12th in 14 years.

The weapons system-integrated Mk-IV variant of the indigenously designed helicopter took off from Likabali in the foothills and crashed near Migging village, bounded by China in the north. The cause of the crash wasn't immediately known. "There were a total of five personnel on board. During a joint search and rescue with the IAF, the remains of four individuals were found," the Army said.

Earlier, a Cheetah helicopter of the Army had crashed in a forward area near Tawang in the western part of the state on October 5, killing the pilot. The mountainous state has had a bloodstained trail of aviation disasters in the remotest of locations. The 12 crashes in 14 years have led to 90 casualties, including ex-CM Dorjee Khandu.