Army helicopter crashes in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar; 3 personnel evacuated
Kishtwar (Jammu and Kashmir), May 4: An Army ALH Dhruv helicopter crashed near Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
The Army's Aviation ALH Dhruv helicopter was on an operational mission when it crashed while making a 'precautionary landing' on the banks of the Marua river in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar, officials said on Thursday.
According to an official statement by the Northern Command, Army ALH Dhruv Helicopter made the precautionary landing in the Marwah area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar Thursday morning. The pilots had reported a technical fault to the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and proceeded for 'precautionary landing' at about 11.15 am on May 4.
"Due to the undulating ground, undergrowth and unprepared landing area, the helicopter apparently made a hard landing", the statement read.
"Immediate rescue operations were launched and Army rescue teams reached the site," it read.
As per the statement, there were two pilots and a technician on board. "All three injured personnel have been evacuated to Command Hospital, Udhampur," the statement added.
The statement further said that a 'Court of Inquiry' has been ordered on the matter.
Earlier this March, two pilots were killed after an Indian Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter crashed near the Mandala hills area in Arunachal Pradesh. A search operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and police after the crash.
According to officials, the Army's Cheetah helicopter was on an operational sortie when it lost contact with the Air Traffic Controller. It was reported to have crashed near Mandala, West of Bomdila.
- With inputs from agencies
