Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar's helicopter hit by eagle, lands safely

The chopper flew from Jakkur airport in Bengaluru but was hit by an eagle near Hoskote. The glass of the helicopter was shattered as a result and it had to go for an emergency landing.

Bengaluru: An eagle hit the helicopter in which Congress' Karnataka unit president D K Shivakumar was traveling on Tuesday. After the party's manifesto release ceremony at a private hotel in Bangalore this morning, the Congress leader was on the way to Mulbagal in Kolar district to attend a public meeting.

The chopper flew from Jakkur airport in Bengaluru but was hit by an eagle near Hoskote. The glass of the helicopter was shattered as a result and it had to go for an emergency landing. Following the incident, the KPCC president canceled the helicopter journey and chose to travel by road to reach the venue. Seven people were traveling in the helicopter including the pilot and a journalist of a Kannada news channel who was interviewing Shivakumar. The accident took place ten minutes after the departure.

"While on our way to Mulbagal, our helicopter met with an accident, in which my fellow passengers were injured. Thanks to the wishes of all Kannadigas, I am safe, and I thank the pilot for his quick response in making an emergency landing. Travelling to Mulbagal by road now," Shivakumar tweeted shortly after the incident.

Congress's Karnataka unit released its poll manifesto called 'Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota' (Peaceful garden of all communities) on Tuesday. The party reiterated give guarantees in the manifesto: Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi & Shakti. The party also promised to ban organisations like Bajrang Dal, triggering a sharp reaction from the BJP.