Shimla, Sep 3 - Himachal Pradesh Governor Prabha Rau and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Thursday expressed grief over the death of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Reddy died in a helicopter crash Wednesday and his charred body was found Thursday along with four others.

Dhumal said in a statement: 'With the death of Reddy, the country has lost a politician of stature... it's a great loss to the country.'

In a separate statement, Governor Rau said: 'We pray to god to give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.'