5THLD REDDY 3 LAST

The chopper might have drifted from its path because
of a large cloud formation due to inclement weather and ended
up hitting the cliff, the Chief Secretary said.

The helicopter crashed 10 km away from Rudrakoduru on
a hostile terrain and army commandos had to slither down with
the help of a rope from a rescue helicopter.

Except the tail portion, the body of the Bell-430
helicoper of AP Aviation Corporation was reduced to bits and
pieces in the mishap.

"Initially three bodies were traced and then the
fourth one. It took a while to locate the fifth body. We have
identified the bodies from the dresses," Director General of
Police S S P Yadav said.

Rosaiah described Reddy's demise as a "great loss" to
the country. To him, it was a personal loss, he said which he
was not able to digest.

In Delhi, Congress Core Group met in the morning as the
news trickled. After the meeting, Home Minister P Chidambaram
announced the death.

"With a very deep sense of regret we have to announce
the death of YS Rajashekhar Reddy. He was a tall leader and it
is a big loss to the country," he said.

He said the cause of the crash was not known
immediately.

In the evening, Congress Working Committee met also met
to condole the death. PTI