Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu’s chopper is still untraceable. Reports came from the Chief Minister office that chopper has landed safely in Bhutan couldn’t be verified by officials from both Bhutan and India.

Mr. Khandu, accompanied by his two security personal and sister of Tawang MLA, had taken off from Tawang at 9:56 am and was to land at Itanagar at 11:30 am. But it soon lost its contact and was last sighted at Sela Pass, 20 minutes after taking off from Tawang.

Around 2 pm reports start floating in that locals in eastern Bhutan had seen some helicopter landing but was not confirmed by the Bhutan officials.

Joint search operation conducted by Army, Air Force and state police is on for the missing copter. Two IAF Cheetah helicopters were sent for the rescue and search operations.But poor light and hilly terrain is making search operation difficult. Bhutan has also sent its army to find the missing chopper. ISRO satellites have already done two runs but couldn’t trace anything till now.

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Inspector General of Police Robin Hibu said joint search operation for the missing helicopter will resume from tomorrow morning by air and through ground.

The five people who are on board are crew members Captain J S Babbar and Captain K S Malick, Khandu’s security officer Yeshi Choddak and Yeshi Lamu, sister of Tawang MLA Tsewang Dhondup.

Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said in Delhi that “there is no trace of the missing helicopter yet. Weather is very bad. So, the rescue teams are trying to locate the helicopter.”

The chopper was a Eurocopter B-3 and was very recently inducted by Pawan Hans. Official from Pawan Hans said “We have not been able to contact our pilots and unless we receive information from them, we cannot confirm any report”

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