7 dead as Indian Air Force helicopter crash near Arunachal, inquiry ordered

October 6, New Delhi

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed early today morning in Arunachal Pradesh's China area. All seven people on board - five from the Indian Air Force and two from the Indian Army - were killed in the crash.

The crash took place at around 6 am in China in Arunachal Pradesh's Yangstse sector. The chopper crashed in a hilly terrain around 12 kilometers from the India-China border and around 100 kiolmetres from Tawang.

The helicopter chopper involved in today's crash was carrying out an air maintenance mission and had taken off from the Tawang sector.

The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the crash in order to ascertain its cause. The helicopter crash comes just two days before the force marks its 85th Air Force Day this Sunday.

The crash also comes a day after Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa expressed concern over armed forces' loses during peace time. "Our losses during peace time are cause of concern. We are making concentrated efforts to minimize accidents& preserve our assets," Dhanoa had said.

The Mi-17 V5 is a Russian-made military transport helicopter and is often in disaster relief operations, especially floods. The Mi-17 V5 was most recently deployed in Gujarat and Rajasthan for flood relief operations.

Source: India Today Published by Sahifa SM