India minister helicopter 'found'

Mr Reddy is one of the most influential politicians of the ruling party A helicopter carrying a powerful Indian politician which disappeared during a flight in southern India on Wednesday has been located, officials say. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's helicopter was found on a small hill, some 70km (43 miles) east of Kurnool, they said. It is not yet clear whether the helicopter crashed or if anyone has died, an air force officer said. Mr Reddy is an influential politician from the Congress party. Air Commodre Sagar Bharati told reporters that two air force helicopters were trying to land on the hill, in a thickly forested area. The discovery follows a massive search and rescue operation launched by the state government. Remote forest Some 2,000 members of the security forces, supported by 11 helicopters and airplanes, took part. Rain has reduced many areas to mud, making the search difficult. The helicopter carrying Mr Reddy and four others was on what should have been a two-hour flight from Hyderabad's Begumpet airport. It took off at 0845 IST (0315 GMT) on Wednesday bound for the village of Anupally in Chittoor district. The aircraft went missing over Kurnool district more than an hour before it was due to land. The remote Nallamalla forest area where it vanished is a stronghold of Maoist rebels in Andhra Pradesh state. But federal officials have ruled out the possibility that insurgents shot down the helicopter. Andhra Pradesh is one of several Indian states with a significant Maoist rebel presence. Link...