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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| India minister helicopter 'found' | India minister helicopter 'found' |
| (20 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 found on a small hill, some 70km (43 miles) east of Kurnool, they said. | Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's helicopter was found on a small hill, some 70km (43 miles) east of Kurnool, they said. |
| It is not yet clear whether the helicopter crashed or if anyone has died, an air force officer said. | It is not yet 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. | 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. | The discovery follows a massive search and rescue operation launched by the state government. |
| Remote forest | Remote forest |
| Some 2,000 members of the security forces, supported by 11 helicopters and airplanes, took part. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | Andhra Pradesh is one of several Indian states with a significant Maoist rebel presence. |