J&K: Indian Army helicopter crashes in Gurez; 1 pilot killed
An Indian Army Cheetah helicopter on Friday crashed in the Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir, defense officials told ANI. The crash reportedly took place in the Gujran Nallah of Tulail in Gurez, killing one pilot and injuring the co-pilot, PTI reported quoting officials. The injured pilot has been rushed to a medical facility for treatment.
The Army Cheetah helicopter was on its way to rescue an ailing soldier from a forward post, PRO (Defense) Srinagar said in a statement. The helicopter had lost contact with the forward post at Gujran, Baraub, the official said. A search operation found the helicopter's wreckage in a snow-bound Gujran Nallah area. Reportedly, the helicopter "drifted away" while landing due to weather conditions.
The PRO said the pilot and the co-pilot were "grievously injured" and were rushed to the Command Hospital, Udhampur. The co-pilot, Major Sankalp Yadav (29), succumbed to his injuries at 92 Base Hospital. Major Yadav—a Jaipur resident—was commissioned in 2015 and is survived by his father. The injured pilot is critical in the ICU but stable, the PRO said.
