Indian Army chopper crashes near Gurez Sector, pilot dies
Rescue operations are underway with teams being despatched on foot while air reconnaissance teams are looking for survivors.
Srinagar: An Indian Army Cheetah helicopter crashed near in the Gurez Sector of north Kashmir on Friday. The chopper was on its way to pick up sick BSF personnel, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
Rescue operations are underway with teams being despatched on foot while air reconnaissance teams are looking for survivors.
In the Army Cheetah helicopter crash in Jammu and Kashmir, one of the two pilots has lost his life while the other one is injured, Indian Army officials told news agency ANI.
PRO (Defence), Srinagar stated on the passing of the co-pilot. Maj Sankalp Yadav, 29 years old, the co-pilot succumbed to his injuries at 92 Base Hospital. The injured pilot is critical, however stable and is presently in ICU at 92 Base Hospital.
Maj Sankalp Yadav was commissioned in 2015 and was a resident of Jaipur, Rajasthan. He is survived by his father, reported ANI. Events leading to the crash of the helicopter are being ascertained.
Gurez valley is located about 86 kilometres (53 mi) from Bandipore and 123 kilometres (76 mi) from Srinagar in northern Kashmir and southern Gilgit-Baltistan. At about 2,400 metres (8,000 ft) above sea level, the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The Kishanganga River flows through the valley. The road to Gilgit runs through Gurez.
(With agency inputs)
