New Delhi - An Indian Air Force helicopter crashed into a river in the northern Jammu and Kashmir state on Friday, killing its pilot, police said.

"An IAF Mi-17 helicopter crashed in the Chenab in southern Doda district. The pilot's body was found," a local police officer said over the phone. Three personnel on board were missing.

Police and army teams had reached the scene and were carrying out rescue operations.

The chopper, which was headed to the state's winter capital Jammu, apparently developed a technical snag, officials said.

The IAF has instituted an inquiry to ascertain the cause of the crash. (dpa)