Army chopper crash lands in J&K, no casualties reported

Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh had a narrow escape when a helicopter carrying him and his staff crash-landed in Poonch in Jammu region on Thursday following a technical snag, officials said.

The Advanced Light Helicopter was on its way from forward area in Jammu to Srinagar when it developed a snag and had to crash land at Bedar area in Poonch district, the officials said. A civilian is reported to have suffered injuries, they said. There were seven people in the helicopter including Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and two pilots.

READ:  Indian Army Foils Pakistan, Destroys Explosives In Hair-raising Video

"A helicopter with Army Commander Northern Command on board, has executed a forced landing on account of technical snag in general area of Poonch", a Defence Spokesman said in a statement. "Crew and passengers are safe", he said.

The army general and others were taken to a nearby army medical centre for examination, the officials said, adding there were no serious injuries to anyone in the crew. Lt Gen Singh was on a visit to forward areas of XVI corps which has been witnessing cross border shelling from Pakistan side quite regularly these days.

READ: Indian Army Conducts Sudharshan Chakra Exercise In Pokhran At PFFR