Thursday 3 September 2009

Massive search for missing Andhra CM YSR

HELICOPTER LOST OVER MAOIST-INFESTED NALLAMALA;
SUKHOI, I.S.R.O. AIRCRAFT MAP TERRAIN, FORCES COMB AREA
The state has also decided to seek the help of the US Defence Department to locate the missing helicopter through their satellite visualsIndia's biggestever air, land and satellite search operation failed to locate the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, and others who went missing along with their helicopter on Wednesday in the dense Nallamala forests. The unprecedented effort included ultra-sophisticated remote sensing aircraft of Isro and the IAF, helicopters, Army personnel, 5,000 CRPF men and Andhra and Karnataka police forces.
The Chief Minister had taken off from the Begumpet airport at 8.35 am to go to Chittoor to launch his Rachabanda programme, to talk to drought-affected farmers and quell their fears.
Dr Reddy's helicopter pilot, Group Captain Bhatia, an Indian Air Force pilot on deputation with the government, last contacted the Air Traffic Control at Chennai at 9.02 am and did not indicate any emergency. Gp Cpt Bhatia, a veteran of the north-east, did not put out any emergency or distress call.

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