Insta
IAF Mi-17 Helicopter Crashes Near Tawang In Arunachal Pradesh, Seven Dead
Swarajya Staff
Oct 06, 2017, 02:12 PM | Updated 02:12 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
A Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh today (6 October), killing seven military personnel, a senior IAF official said.
Five IAF personnel, including two pilots, and two army men were killed in the crash near the remote town of Tawang, close to the China border, around 6 am.
The Russian-manufactured Mi-17 V5 helicopter was carrying supplies to a forward post of the Indian Army in the mountainous region.
"A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the official said.
Earlier in the day, an IAF official had said five personnel were killed and one person was critically injured.
The crash comes a day ahead of Air Force Day, celebrated in a big way by the force.
"Our losses in the peacetime are a cause of concern. We are making concerted efforts to minimise accidents and preserve our assets," Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa had said yesterday, referring to a string of crashes of IAF choppers and military jets in recent years.
The Mi-17 V5 is a Russian built medium-lift military transport chopper. (PTI)
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.