President condoles deaths in army chopper crash

President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday condoled the deaths of three army men who died in a chopper crash in Uttar Pradesh, a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said.

In his message to the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh, Mukherjee said: "I am saddened to learn about the tragic crash of an army helicopter... in which three occupants lost their lives. I am sure that all necessary help and assistance is being provided to the next of kin of the deceased."

"Kindly convey my sincere words of sympathy to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased personnel. I pray to the almighty to give the bereaved families the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss," the president added.

Three army officers were killed when a Cheetah helicopter crashed in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district Wednesday morning after it developed a technical snag.