Indian Army's Cheetah Helicopter Crashes Near Leh; Major General Among 3 Injured

New Delhi: An Indian Army Cheetah helicopter crashed in the Tangste region near Leh in Ladakh, leaving three Army officers injured, officials said on Friday. The accident took place during a routine sortie in the high-altitude sector, with all occupants escaping with minor injuries.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the helicopter was being piloted by a lieutenant colonel and a major, while Major General Sachin Mehta, the General Officer Commanding of the 3 Infantry Division, was also on board. All three officers survived the crash and walked away with injuries described as non-critical.  

The Army has launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash. Officials termed the survival of all three officers as “nothing short of a miracle” given the difficult mountainous terrain in the region.

The incident has once again brought focus on the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which continue to operate in challenging terrains such as Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier. The Indian Army is planning to gradually phase out these helicopters and replace them with new light utility helicopters over the coming years as part of its modernisation drive. 

A Cheetah helicopter piloted by a lieutenant colonel and a major, with Major General Sachin Mehta aboard, crashed in the mountainous Tangste region near Leh. Reports indicate that the incident occurred a day prior, and all three officers escaped narrowly.