KHAR: Three security personnel were killed and six others injured when a military helicopter crashed near Charmang area on Saturday.

Official sources said the Russian-made MI-17 helicopter was returning from the border area of Nawa Pass to Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur agency, when it went down after developing some technical fault near Sarkari Qilla of Charmang Valley in Nawagai tehsil.

The sources said that security personnel had gone to Nawa Pass to supply ration to troops manning a post of Bajaur Scouts.

It is learnt that three personnel of Frontier Corps — two of Tall Scouts and one of Bajaur Scouts — were killed in the crash.

The bodies and the injured were taken to Khar’s main hospital by a special helicopter. The injured included the pilot and co-pilot of the helicopter.

Some witnesses claimed that they saw the helicopter on fire before it crashed into a field.

Security forces have been engaged for four months in efforts aimed at clearing Charmang from militants and last week they had claimed securing the area.