Two pilots killed in Indian helicopter crash in Bhutan
Indian colonel said that a ground search and rescue operation was launched from Yongfulla.
BHUTAN (Dunya News) – An Indian Army helicopter today (Sept. 27) crashed in Bhutan in which two onboard pilots lost their lives.
According to Indian news agency, the Indian Army pilot Rajneesh Parmar, who died in the crash was of lieutenant colonel rank while the other was a Bhutanese Army pilot Kalzang Wangdi, training with the Indian Army.
India Today asserted that the incident took place when the Indian Army chopper named ‘Cheetah’ was approaching Yonphula for landing, but instead, it crashed into the nearby hill Khentongmani. Both Indian and Bhutanese army officers were killed on the spot.
"An Indian Army Helicopter crashed at 1 pm near Yongphulla in Bhutan. The helicopter went out of radio and visual contact soon after 1 pm. It was en-route from Khirmu (Arunanchal Pradesh) to Yongfulla on duty," Indian Army Spokesperson Col Aman Anand said.
Indian colonel Aman Anand added that a ground search and rescue operation was launched from Yongfulla and the wreckage was located.
On Sept. 25, another MiG-21 of Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near the city of Gwalior. It has been reported that both pilots ejected safely from the plane.
According to a statement given by India Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik in June 2019, 27 IAF aircrafts have crashed since 2016 including 15 fighter jets and helicopters.
The figure also included the MiG-21 of Abhinandan Varthaman which was downed by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet during a dog-fight on February 27 when the MiG-21 violated Pakistan’s airspace.
