PM's convoy helicopter develops technical snag

The Prime Minister came Panipat to lay the foundation stone of an elevated national highway.

The return of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to New Delhi from Panipat was on Wednesday delayed by about 10 minutes after a helicopter, which was to carry officials of PMO and security personnel, developed a snag shortly before take off.

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Deputy Commissioner DPS Naggal said that the pilot of one the three helicopters noticed some spark in the engine when the copter was readying for take off.

He said the pilot of the affected helicopter, which was to carry officials of the Prime Minister's Office, including some security personnel, immediately aborted the take off.

The two other helicopters, including the one carrying the Prime Minister, took off after about 10 minutes delay, he said.

Another helicopter reached Panipat with engineers for repair of the fault in the helicopter, which was parked in the makeshift helipad at Arya College Grounds.

Panipat Superintendent of Police (SP) Alok Nigam said that some officials of the Prime Minister's entourage left for Delhi by road.

The Prime Minister came Panipat to lay the foundation stone of an elevated national highway.