In the course of extensive search efforts, two bodies were reportedly discovered on Friday, hours after an Army chopper crashed in Arunachal Pradesh. On Friday morning, the accident was recorded in a relatively isolated part of the Upper Siang district. The incident happened a few weeks after a helicopter crash that claimed the life of an Indian Army pilot.
As the plane impacted the ground, smoke could be seen rising off it in a video uploaded by union minister Kiren Rijiju. The Advanced Light Helicopter was the type of helicopter that crashed. “Received very disturbing news about the Indian Army’s Advanced Light Helicopter crash in Upper Siang District in Arunachal Pradesh. My deepest prayers,” tweeted Rijiju alongside the video.
The plane “took off from Lekabali in the morning before it crashed at Migging (South of Tuting),” according to an official Army statement. Joint Army and Air Force troops have launched a search and rescue operation. The Public Relations Office released a statement that included more information.
“The search and rescue parties have reached the crash site, The search is in progress. Updates awaited,” it tweeted in another post.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu – reacting to the accident – wrote on Twitter: “Shocked to hear about the news of @adgpi. Advanced Light Combat Helicopter crash near Tuting area in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.”
“The state government has rushed the rescue team to the accident site and is providing all assistance,” he further wrote.