Helicopter of Indian politician disappears in heavy rains, flying over militant region

Indian politician’s helicopter missing in rains

HYDERABAD, India — A helicopter carrying a powerful politician from southern India disappeared in heavy rains Wednesday as it flew over a forested region infested with Maoist rebels.

Air force helicopters rushed to the area to search for the aircraft carrying Y.S.R. Reddy, the 60-year-old chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state, said K. Roshaiah, the state finance minister. He appealed to local villagers to join the search for the helicopter, which disappeared over the dense Nallamalla forest.

Reddy spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon, about six hours after contact was lost, and said continuing rains were slowing the search.

“Our helicopters are still searching. The missing helicopter may have landed in an unfamiliar forest area from where it is difficult to get out,” said Ramakant Reddy, another top state government official.

The helicopter took off from Hyderabad, the state capital, and lost contact with air traffic controllers about 45 minutes into the flight, Roshaiah said. At that time, the helicopter was believed to be about 170 miles (275 kilometers) south of the capital.

Reddy, who was on an inspection tour of various rural social welfare programs and traveling in a private helicopter, was accompanied by a bodyguard, two officials and a photographer.

The rebels, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting for more than three decades in several Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, demanding land and jobs for agricultural laborers and the poor.

While the militants have a great deal of power in parts of rural India, they have little day-to-day control outside of isolated forests and villages.

More than 6,500 people have been killed in the violence.