Avinash Azad
In a tragic helicopter crash in Kishtwar district of J&K, Indian Army lost an Aviation Technician while two pilots got seriously injuries, and they have been evacuated and hospitalised in Command Hospital, Udhampur, officials said.
“At about 11;15 hours on Thursday, an Army Aviation ALH Dhruv helicopter on an operational mission made a precautionary landing on the banks of Marua River in the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir”, a Defence Spokesperson said.
He further said as per inputs, the pilots had reported a technical fault to the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and proceeded for a precautionary landing. “Due to the undulating ground, undergrowth and unprepared landing area, the helicopter apparently made a hard landing. Immediate rescue operations were launched and Army rescue teams reached the site. Two pilots and a technician were on board. All three injured personnel have been evacuated to Command Hospital, Udhampur”, the spokesperson said, adding that Indian Army lost ACF (Aviation Technician) Pabballa Anil in this accident. “Anil hails from Telangana. a court of Inquiry has been ordered”, he said.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Army Commander Northern Command and All Ranks Northern Command offered tribute to supreme sacrifice of CFN (Avn Tech) Pabballa Anil, in the line of duty during Operational flying of ALH MK III in Kishtwar and offered deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
