Army helicopter crashes, three officers killed
Bareilly: A Cheetah helicopter of the Army on Wednesday crashed moments after taking off from an airbase in Cantt area here, killing the two pilots and an engineer. “The incident occurred this morning soon after the helicopter took off,” a police spokesman said in Lucknow. The helicopter developed some technical problem and crashed at the aviation base. Pilots Major Abhijit Thapa (29) and Captain Avinash (26) and flight engineer Major Vikas Baryani (29), who sustained critical injuries, were taken to the military base hospital where they died during treatment, he said. According to sources, the helicopter was on a routine flight. Eyewitnesses claimed that the chopper appeared to be in trouble moments after lifting off. It soon caught fire and crashed at the airbase. (PTI)
PM announces ex-gratia for train mishap victims
New Delhi: Expressing grief at the loss of lives in the train collision in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in the accident. “The Prime Minister has expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives or were grievously injured in the Krishak Express-Barauni Express train collision near Gorakhpur district,” an official statement said. It said the PM has sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also announced financial assistance for those killed and injured. At least 12 persons were killed and 45 injured when a speeding passenger train allegedly jumped signal and collided with another train which was taking a turn on a loop line Tuesday night. The Maduadeeh-Lucknow Krishak Express hit Barauni bound express train from Lucknow from the side while it was on the loop line at Nandanagar railway crossing, about seven km from Gorakhpur. (PTI)
Truck with inflammable chemical explodes at IndoPak check-post
Attari (Amritsar): An Indian tanker exploded soon after hydrogen peroxide, an inflammable chemical, was transferred from a Pakistani tanker at Integrated Check Post on the Indo-Pak border here Wednesday, sparking panic in the high- security area. No one was injured, though BSF personnel and Pakistani Rangers went into a tizzy after the powerful explosion which saw the debris scattered “in an area of 2000 square yards”. A magisterial probe has been ordered and the Pakistani side has been informed about the incident, officials said, adding a forensic team from Chandigarh has been dispatched. Punjab police Inspector Ravinder Singh said that after the transfer of the chemical from a Pakistani truck, leakage began. “The chemical caught fire and it was followed by a powerful blast, but no causality was reported,” he said. Singh said that at the time of blast, nobody was standing near the Indian tanker as it was morning time. The Pakistani truck was unharmed and went back. An Indian official posted at the checkpost said that possibility of mischief cannot be ruled out and things would become clear after a thorough investigation. (PTI)
Raje to send printed message to parents on birth of girl child
Jaipur: With an aim to encourage parents on the birth of a girl child, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has decided to send a printed message to them, congratulating on the birth of a girl in the state. The message was released by Raje at her official residence here which will be given in a printed form to the parents of girl child born in division level government hospitals from October 11. The arrangement will be made in other hospitals from Children’s Day on November 14. Raje on the occasion said that girls are not behind in any field and they should be given a good atmosphere so that they can show and develop their talent. Health Minister Rajendra Rathore, brand ambassador of “Save the Girl Child” in the state Diya Kumari and senior officers were present at the launch, a release said. (PTI)