A small chartered aircraft carrying military personnel crashed Tuesday closed to New Delhi’s main airport, killing at least three people on board

A small chartered aircraft carrying military personnel crashed Tuesday closed to New Delhi's main airport, killing at least three people on board, Indian rescue officials said.

Emergency workers were carrying out relief and rescue operations after the plane, which was carrying 10 people, crashed shortly after take-off from the capital's Indira Gandhi International airport.

The twin-engine plane was on its way to Ranchi in eastern Jharkhand state and was carrying members of India's Border Security Force.

"The crash took place at around 9:50 am (0420 GMT) moments after the technicians lost contact with ground control," A. K. Sharma, director of Delhi Fire Services, told AFP.

"Three bodies have been retrieved from the accident site so far."

Television footage showed security personnel clearing the area as fire engines waited on the side.