The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered suspension of helicopter operations to Sahastradhara, Harshil, Badrinath and Kharsali helipads in Uttarakhand from today till further orders. In a letter to the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, the DGCA said no new passengers are to be airlifted to these helipads. The decision was taken in the wake of helicopter accident yesterday. A flight engineer was killed and two pilots suffered injuries when a helicopter carrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking off from the Badrinath shrine.<br/>State Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said, the suspension of choppers to the helipads will affect chardham yatra.