Most of the top military personnel from the disputed Indonesian territory of East Timor have been killed in a helicopter crash.

There were twelve officers on the helicopter when it came down, including the new head of the eastern Indonesia region Major-General Yudomo and the East Timor commander Colonel Slamet Sidabutar.

All were killed.

A spokesman said the team had been on a working trip with the new military chief, who was appointed two weeks ago after the resignation of President Suharto.

The helicopter crashed into a mountainside near Liaroka, two-hundred kilometres from the East Timor capital, Dili.

The territory has been heavily militarised since its annexation by Indonesia and the rise of a militant separatist campaign.