IAF MI-17 v5 chopper crashes during Indian Army drill exercise near Mana Pass in Badrinath, Uttarakhand

According to initial reports, theIAF MI-17 v5 chopper was participating in a drilling exercise of the Kumaon regiment at North of Badrinath, Joshi math sector.

Chamoli, October 19: An Indian Air Force chopper MI-17 v5 crashed after taking off from Badrinath on Wednesday afternoon, reports said. No damages to life or property was reported. More details about the incident are awaited. An investigation has been ordered into the incident. Badrinath is a holy town located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The chopper was a part of the Army drill exercises, when it crashed near Mana Pass on Wednesday. The incident was reported during a routine drill exercise of an Indian Army regiment.

According to intial reports, the chopper was participating in a drilling exercise of the Kumaon regiment at North of Badrinath, Joshi math sector. The Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army is a decorated regiment of the infantry and gets its recruits from the Kumaonis and the Ahirs, said a report by the Financial Express. The news of the chopper crash broke in around noon today and more details about what caused the crash, are being awaited. This comes after the IAF’s AN-32 aircraft, with 20 people on board went missing in August this year. ALSO READ: AN-32 aircraft missing: Some objects found, need to verify if from missing plane, says Manohar Parrikar

Several months of relentless search by the Air Force and the Navy have not yielded any results. A search party including at least 18 Navy and coast guard ships including a submarine, and eight aircraft like P 81, C 130 and Dorniers, was dispatched to look for the missing aircraft but with no results.

#FLASH IAF MI-17 v5 crashed after taking off frm north Badrinath.All crew safe,no damage to civil property.COI ordered. More details awaited

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 19, 2016