The pilot of an IAF chopper was killed and three other personnel on board were feared dead on Friday when the MI-17 helicopter crashed into Chenab river in Doda district, 145 kms from here.

The transport helicopter, which was on an exercise-cum-sortie in Chanderkote-Nawapanchi mountainous belt, was flying low over Chenab when it got caught in a cable-wire of a bridge and crashed into the water reservoir of the Baglihar hydro-electric power project at 1315 hours, defence sources said.

Four IAF men including the pilot Wing Commander S K Garg, Co-pilot flt Lt S Tomar, one technician and one crew member were aboard the chopper when it sank into the river, they said.

While the pilot's body has been recovered, a joint search and rescue operation is on by the police and the army to trace the missing personnel, they said.

A court of inquiry has been ordered into the crash, Defence Spokesman Lt Col Biplav Nath said.

Confirming the recovery of the pilot's body, he said two choppers and a team of trained divers have been rushed to the site of the crash to assist in rescue efforts.