Bangalore: Four persons, including multi-lingual actress Soundarya, were killed after a four-seater helicopter crashed at Jakkur in Bangalore today (Apr 17, 2004), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and police sources said.

Soundarya along with two others were travelling in a helicopter on a campaign trail for BJP in Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh, according to Karnataka BJP president H N Ananth Kumar.

Confirming the death of four persons in the crash, Karnataka DGP T Madiyal said that the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

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The helicopter belonged to "Agni Aviation", Madiyal said. The pilot, whose name was given as Philips, was also killed, he added.

Ananth Kumar said the helicopter caught fire minutes after it took-off from Jakkur airstrip on the city outskirts.

Police sources said her brother Amaranath who was travelling with her was killed.

Soundarya, who has acted in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil films with top stars, had joined the BJP recently. She was married just a few months back.

A talented actress, she had won the national award last year for Kannada film "Dweepa" produced by her.