Army general killed in helicopter crash in central Bangladesh

Dhaka: At least two military officers including a major general was killed Monday after a military helicopter crashed in central Tangail district, officials said.

"The army helicopter crashed in a pond killling a major general and a lieutenant colonel, who was piloting the craft," Tangail district police chief Mohammad Abdul Mannan told Gulf News as he was reached here by telephone.

He added that the helicopter was carrying three passengers and of them one army major survived with critical wounds but it could not be ascertained immediately what caused the crash.

Army sources confirmed that general officer commanding of the army's western Jessore area Major General Rafiqul Islam and pilot Lieutenant Colonel Shahid were killed in the crash.

They said co-pilot of the helicopter major Saif, was sent to Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital with serious injuries.

"The accident took place when the helicopter hit an electric pole and plunged into a small pond causing instantaneous death of the army officers," an Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) statement later said.

It said the helicopter was flying to central Mymensingh Cantonment from Jessore cantonment to pick up the GOC of 19 infantry division for a conference at army headquarters in Dhaka.