An Indian Army HAL Cheetah helicopter crashed in Jammu and Kashmir. A pilot died in the crash, another was seriously injured.
The Cheetah helicopter crashed in the Baraum area of Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir while it was on a routine mission to evacuate an ailing soldier from a forward post.
The 29-year-old co-pilot was killed in the crash, while the pilot, who was rescued in an injured condition, is stated to be stable.
The incident occurred when the helicopter was about to land but “drifted away” due to inclement weather conditions.
According to a statement by Defence PRO in Srinagar, the chopper lost contact with the forward post at Gujran, Baraub, following which a search operation on foot was launched by the Army.
Search and rescue helicopters were also pressed into service.
“The wreckage of the crashed helicopter was found in a snow-bound Gujran Nallah area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora. The pilot and the co-pilot of the helicopter were grievously injured in the crash and were immediately evacuated to Base Hospital, Srinagar,” the statement said.
Co-pilot Maj Sankalp Yadav succumbed to his injuries at 92 Base Hospital, while the injured pilot was shifted to Command Hospital, Udhampur.
He is critical but stable, the statement said, adding that the events leading to the crash are being ascertained.
