Major Bhanuchander, 29, belonging to the Vijayanagaram town in AP, was killed in an army helicopter crash at Nasik Wednesday morning. The helicopter crashed on a building near Nasik soon after taking off from the army base at Nasik.

Major Bhanuchander and Major Atul Garge were on their way to Pune on an assignment when the crash occurred killing both of them instantly, officials told journalists. There was no one in the house on which the copter crashed. Or else, some more people would have died, they said.

Bhanuchander and Atul Garge were attached to the Jodhpur army base but they came to Nasik three days ago to oversee the preparations for the forthcoming air show at Bangalore. Bhanuchander, married six months ago, was promoted as Major in January as recognition of his contribution in the fight against terrorists in Jammu Kashmir and Assam. Major Bhanuchander was trained in Dehra Dun Military Academy. A pall of gloom has descended on Vijayanagaram town following his death in the copter crash.