In a distressing development, 2 pilots were rendered injured as army aviation helicopter crashed in J&K. The Indian Army has labelled the incident as ‘force-landing’. The mishap was reported from Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir. While more details into the matter are awaited, reports are claiming that the accident may have occurred due to bad weather. It should be noted that the army pilots were rescued by the locals who alerted the J&K police.
Details
BharatRakshak, a database that works closely with Indian Air Force, states that between 2010-2020, there have been 29 deaths of IAF pilots in crashes. Further, most of these pilots didn’t die in combat, but died due to aircraft malfunction or similar causes.
Recently, 2 army helicopter pilots were injured after their helicopter ‘forced-land’ in Jammu & Kashmir. These are the facts of the matter.
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The Facts of the Matter
On September 21, an Army helicopter with 2 pilots on board crashed at Udhampur district’s Shiv Garh Dhar.
Force Landing or Crash?
It should be noted that news agency ANI has quoted Indian Army labeling the incident as force landing. However, the pictures that have emerged thus far shows the helicopter completely dismantled. Reportedly the helicopter may have crashed or force landed due to excessive fog and bad weather in the area.
Excessive Fog and Low Visibility Creating Problems
The issue of excessive fog was acknowledged by Director in General of Udhampur, Suleman Chowdhry. According to the DIG, due to the excessive fog, the visibility in the area has remained quite low. Further, the DIG also claimed that the J&K police were alerted by the locals and soon teams were dispatched towards rescue.
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Locals and Rescue Team Evacuate the Injured Pilots
With the help of the locals, the rescue team were successful in getting the two injured Army pilots out of the destroyed helicopter. Meanwhile, an India Today report claimed that the Indian Army have issued a statement regarding the matter.
“Today during a training sortie in Patnitop area, an Indian Army Cheetah Helicopter crash-landed in Shiv Garh Dhar area in Udhampur district. Two pilots have been injured and evacuated to the hospital,” the statement read.
Injured Pilots Rushed to Udhampur Army Hospital
Meanwhile, newly appointed Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh took to Twitter and shared more insight into the matter. As per his tweet, the two army personnel are being taken to the Udhampur Army Command Hospital.
“Disturbed to receive the news of Army Helicopter crash around #Patnitop region. Just now spoke to DC #Udhampur Ms Indu Chib. The two injured Pilots are being shifted to Army Command Hospital Udhampur. My office is in constant touch for any further help, if required,” his tweet read.
Disturbed to receive the news of Army Helicopter crash around #Patnitop region. Just now spoke to DC #Udhampur Ms Indu Chib.The two injured Pilots are being shifted to Army Command Hospital Udhampur. My office is in constant touch for any further help, if required.
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) September 21, 2021
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Similar Helicopter Accident Occurred in August in J&K
Earlier in August this year, an Indian Army helicopter crashed in to the J&K’s Ranjit Sagar Dam Lake. The helicopter was reported to have been indulging in low-level sorties, 30 km near Pathankot, Punjab. After the helicopter crashed into the lake, teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) were deployed to search for the bodies of the pilot and the co-pilot.
On August 16, almost 2 weeks after the crash, the body of 1 off two pilots was found in the lake. The remains of the deceased Lt. Colonel were retrieved from the depths of 75.9 meters. Although it was announced that the search operation for the remains of the second pilot will continue, there hasn’t been any significant update regarding the matter.
