Court Of Inquiry Confirms Friendly Fire Was Behind Budgam IAF Helicopter Crash; Finds Five Officers Guilty Of Negligence

A court of inquiry constituted by the Indian Air Force has found that the Mi-17 V-5 chopper crash which took place on 27 February near Budgam was indeed a result of friendly fire, and has held five officers responsible for the incident, reports India Today.

The shooting down of the helicopter took place a day after the airstrikes in Balakot, when Indian air defences were operating on high alert in expectation of a Pakistani response. All the six personnel who were on board the ill-fated helicopter were killed in the crash.

The officers on whom the blame for the incident has been placed are a Group Captain, two Wing Commanders, and two Flight Lieutenants. The court of inquiry has found the actions of the officers to be negligent, and has also found them guilty of not sticking to procedures.

The report has been communicated to Air Headquarters which will now decide how to proceed with further action in the case.