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India minister helicopter 'found' | India minister helicopter 'found' |
(30 minutes later) | |
A helicopter carrying a powerful Indian politician which disappeared during a flight in southern India on Wednesday has been located, officials say. | A helicopter carrying a powerful Indian politician which disappeared during a flight in southern India on Wednesday has been located, officials say. |
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's helicopter was traced on a small hill, some 70km (43 miles) east of Kurnool, they said. | Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's helicopter was traced on a small hill, some 70km (43 miles) east of Kurnool, they said. |
It is not clear whether the helicopter crashed or if anyone has died, an air force officer said. | It is not clear whether the helicopter crashed or if anyone has died, an air force officer said. |
Mr Reddy is an influential politician from the Congress party. | Mr Reddy is an influential politician from the Congress party. |
Air Commodre Sagar Bharati told reporters that two air force helicopters were trying to land on the hill, in a thickly forested area. | |
The discovery follows a massive search and rescue operation launched by the state government. | |
Remote forest | |
Some 2,000 members of the security forces, supported by 11 helicopters and airplanes, took part. | |
Rain has reduced many areas to mud, making the search difficult. | |
The helicopter carrying Mr Reddy and four others was on what should have been a two-hour flight from Hyderabad's Begumpet airport. | |
It took off at 0845 IST (0315 GMT) on Wednesday bound for the village of Anupally in Chittoor district. | |
The aircraft went missing over Kurnool district more than an hour before it was due to land. | |
The remote Nallamalla forest area where it vanished is a stronghold of Maoist rebels in Andhra Pradesh state. | |
But federal officials have ruled out the possibility that insurgents shot down the helicopter. | |
Andhra Pradesh is one of several Indian states with a significant Maoist rebel presence. |