Krishna speaks to Bhutan PM for Khandu search

External affairs minister S M Krishna today spoke to Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley, seeking assistance in search operations to trace the missing helicopter carrying Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorje Khandu and four others.

External affairs minister S M Krishna on Tuesday spoke to Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley, seeking assistance in search operations to trace the missing helicopter carrying Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorje Khandu and four others.

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Krishna spoke to Thinley and sought Bhutanese assistance in the search operations along the Indo-Bhutan border, sources said. The two also discussed the issue of logistical support to people involved in the search operations, they said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Pavan Verma said that the operations were being done by the Indian government and the Bhutanese authorities were providing all cooperation. "Since yesterday the Bhutanese have been most cooperative," he said.

The four seater, single engine Pawan Hans AS-B350-B-3 chopper went missing 20 minutes after take off from Tawang at 9.56 am, on Saturday morning with five on board, including crew members Captain J S Babbar, Captain T S Mamik, Khandu's security officer Yeshi Choddak and a lady Yeshi Lhamu, sister of Tawang MLA Tsewang Dhondup.