Top officers of the Indian Army, including Northern Army commander Lt-Gen Ranbir Singh, a Major General heading 25th Infantry Division and a Brigadier rank officer of 93rd Brigade had a ‘miraculous’ escape along with six others when their chopper crash landed in Bedar stream, in general area of Mandi, around 2.00 p.m on Thursday.
Experienced pilot and his co-pilot saved the day for all the officers present on board.
According to official sources, “the Advanced Light Helicopter,Dhruv was returning after completing tour of forward areas when it suddenly developed a technical snag and force landed in Bedar stream”.
A High level inquiry has been constituted by the Northern Command headquarters to ascertain the exact reasons behind the crash landing.
According to official sources, “soon after the helicopter crash landed, locals in the area rushed to the spot to help army officers”.
Official sources said, “army commander escaped unhurt with minor facial injuries and was soon up on his feet after undergoing precautionary medical checkup”.
Other officers including pilot and his co pilot, too received minor injuries in the crash. All the injured officers were evacuated to Command Hospital in Udhampur.
Defence Spokesman in Jammu said, “as army commander was visiting units in Poonch sector the ALH developed a technical snag and crash landed”. He said, “all passengers and crew sustained injuries.
As per medical investigations, all have sustained blunt and superficial injuries but are stable”.
The army authorities also saluted local villagers for assisting army in management and evacuation of the injured in time.