By An Indian Army helicopter, Cheetah, crashed in the mountainous region of Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday. The incident took place at around 6:30 am, and the helicopter was on a routine training mission. Both the pilots, Colonel Vikram Singh and Lt. Colonel Yuvraj Vardhan, succumbed to their injuries in the crash.
According to sources, the Cheetah helicopter had taken off from the Army’s Khirmu helipad in Tawang district and crashed near the Bomdirala helipad. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained, and a court of inquiry has been ordered by the Army to investigate the matter.
The Cheetah helicopter is an important asset for the Indian Army, as it is used for reconnaissance and surveillance missions in the mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. The helicopter is also used for troop transportation, casualty evacuation, and other operational tasks. The Army has a fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which have been in service for several decades.
This is not the first time that a Cheetah helicopter has crashed in the region. In 2017, a Cheetah helicopter had crashed in the same area, killing all four people on board. In 2021, another Cheetah helicopter had crashed in the vicinity of Tawang, but the crew had managed to escape with minor injuries.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by the Indian Army in operating in the difficult terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. The region is prone to inclement weather and has challenging flying conditions, which make it difficult for helicopters to operate. Despite these challenges, the Army has been using helicopters to support its operations in the region.
In conclusion, the crash of the Indian Army’s Cheetah helicopter is a tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of two valuable lives. The cause of the accident needs to be investigated thoroughly to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident also highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of the pilots and crew who operate in difficult and challenging conditions.
