BSF helicopter crashes near Ranchi, 3 killed

A Border Security Force helicopter on anti-Naxal duty crashed on the outskirts of Ranchi on Wednesday, killing two pilots and a technician on board.

The advanced light helicopter Dhruv was going to Chaibasa from Ranchi when its engine caught fire and it crashed in Khunti jungle, a senior BSF official 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 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.