IAF chopper crashes in J&K Print Email Discuss Bookmark/Share Save Comment Text Size: | JAMMU: An Indian Air Force chopper today crashed and plunged into Chenab river in Doda district.
Casualties are feared in the mishap, Deputy Commissioner Sharifudeen said.
The IAF chopper, which was on a regular sortie, was flying low over the river Chenab when it got caught in a cable fire of a bridge and crashed into the water reservoir of the Baglihar hydro-electric power project at Tringel in Doda district.
It was returning from Nawapachi area of Kishtawar district.
The exact number on board the chopper is not known as the chopper has sunk in the water body.
A rescue operation has been launched by the army and police, he said.
IAF carries regular sorties to mountain-locked Nawapachi area to transport ration, arms and ammunition for the troops stationed there.
Baglihar Dam on Chenab river.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) MI-17 helicopter crashed into the Chenab river in the Doda district on Friday, after it got caught into a cable fire of a bridge. The occupants of the chopper are not yet known.

The chopper was returning from the Nawapachi of Kishtawar district after supplying ammunition, food and arms for the troops there. The IAF regularly carries such duties to the area.

The chopper was hovering low over the water body when it got caught in a cable fire and crashed into the Baglihar hydro-electric power project at Tringel. The chopper went deep into the water, and the exact number of people on board is not known, although police officers said that at least one of them died.

There were two helicopters, as said by a police officer, and the second one was still hovering over the area when the first one crashed. Rescue teams were soon dispatched, and Pakistani troops are also on the way to assist with rescue efforts.