Defence sources said the ALH had taken off from Mansbal near Safapora and was on a routine night sortie. The Dhruv helicopter of the Army's aviation squadron crashed about 30 minutes after it took off.
Villagers told Rediff.com that they heard a loud bang after which the helicopter went up in flames.
“Bodies of the pilot and co-pilot have been recovered,” a senior police officer said.
A defence spokesman said a court of enquiry has been ordered.