NEW DELHI: Seven military personnel aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter were feared killed when the aircraft crashed in northern India on Friday, a military statement said.

The aircraft, identified as an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), crashed near Sitapur, in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

“The pilot gave a ‘may-day’ (emergency) call and soon after that there was a loss of contact on radar and on radio,” the Indian Air Force said in the statement.

“A total of seven air warriors including two pilots were on board. It is feared that there are no survivors. “There was no immediate reason given for the accident.

The statement said the crash of the helicopter caused no damage on the ground.

The Indian Air Force helicopter was on a flight from Bareilly to Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh state.

“We have rushed several ambulances to the spot,” a police official in the Sitapur police control room said.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2014