Arunachal Pradesh | IAF chopper MI-17 V5 crashes; seven killed

Guwahati: All seven defence personnel lost their lives after an Indian Air Force Chopper MI-17 V5, which was on a Air Maintenance mission, crashed during a training sortie in the Tawang area of Arunachal Pradesh.

The chopper was carrying seven people including five air force personnel and two army personnel.The incident took place near Chuna post, 12 kilometres from the India-China Border, at around 0600 hours on Friday.

Tawang district Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Meena said, "The chopper crashed around 0630 hours killing all the seven people on board."

He added, "The crash site is located at some four-to-five hours drive from Tawang. It is a forested area. All the bodies are being brought to the helipad near Tawang."

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The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the chopper crash.

The Indian Air force stated, "A Mi-17 V5 helicopter while on a Air Maintenance mission crashed in Arunachal Pradesh. Court of Inquiry ordered."

It may be mentioned that the incident took place days before defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit on Oct 8.

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The frequently changing weather condition in Arunachal Pradesh makes flying of choppers difficult in the area and there have been several incidents of crashes in the hill state in the past.

Earlier, in July, an Indian Air Force chopper engaged in a flood rescue mission crashed near Papum Pare district in the hill state killing four persons including three IAF crew and one India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel.