Arunachal Army chopper crash: Search op concludes with recovery of last body

Tezpur (Assam), October 22: The search and rescue mission in the October 21 helicopter crash in Arunachal Pradesh has concluded, according to an Army spokesperson on Saturday.

The Indian army and Air Force ended their search on Saturday after the mortal remains of fifth army personnel on board the advanced light helicopter (AHL) that crashed on Friday were retrieved, according to the Public Relation Officer (PRO) (Tezpur). According to sources, three columns of army personnel were conducting the operation on foot, while one MI17 and two ALH choppers were sent in to assist in locating the personnel.

The Indian Army Aviation Advance Light Helicopter (Weapon Systems Integrated) - ALH WSI, based in Likabali (Assam), crashed on Friday at 10:43 a.m. near Singging village, 25 kilometres from the Tuting headquarters in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district.

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The chopper took off from Likabali in the Lower Siang district.

Previously, the defence PRO stated that the mortal remains of four military personnel had been recovered, with one reported missing in the crash.

According to officials, the 'May Day' call received by Air Traffic Control (ATC) indicating a technical or mechanical problem on the chopper would be the focus of a court of inquiry established to investigate the incident.

"Prior to the crash, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) had received a MAY DAY call suggesting a technical or mechanical failure," the release added. "This will form the focus of the Court of Inquiry, which has been immediately constituted to investigate the causes of the accident," a statement by the Defence PRO stated.

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-PTC News with ANI inputs