Published On : Tue, Dec 22nd, 2015

BSF plane crashes in Dwarka, 10 killed; PM Modi pained by loss of lives

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BSF plane crashes in DwarkaNew Delhi/ Nagpur: A small Border Security Force (BSF) aircraft crashed in Dwarka near the Delhi airport on Tuesday shortly after take-off. All ten personnel on board have been reported killed in the accident. The plane carried two pilots and eight technicians. According to BSF PRO VN Parasar ten people travelling in the plane are dead, including three senior official identified as captain Prashad, captain Rajesh Jhivrin and Deputy Commandant Dilip Kumar.

Aviation sources told PTI the accident happened at around 9.50 am when the plane crashed into the airport boundary wall and landed in a sewage treatment plant while returning back due to apparent technical problem five minutes after it took off for Ranchi. The aircraft lost contact with the Air Traffic Control, at 9.50 am, they said. BSF sources said the technicians were on the way to Ranchi to repair a helicopter.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has rushed to the crash site. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences. “Extremely sad to learn of the BSF plane crash near Delhi airport. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”

Eyewitnesses said the plane hit a wall before bursting into flames and then crashed into a water body. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh rushed to the crash site after briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma has launched an inquiry into the incident. Sources have told PTI that DG-level talks between India and Bangladesh have been cancelled in the wake of the plane crash. The 10 on board the ill-fated aircraft comprised the pilot, who was a second-in-command rank officer of SIB, the co-pilot, who is a Deputy Commandant, six technicians, one engineer and one crew member.