New Delhi: A routine operational sortie in the Ladakh sector turned into a mishap after an Indian Army Cheetah helicopter went down on May 20, resulting in injuries to two pilots and Division Commander Major General Sachin Mehta, according to officials familiar with the development.
Army authorities said all three injured personnel are safe and remain in stable condition following the accident. The incident occurred during operations in the high-altitude Ladakh region, though officials have not yet shared specific details about the circumstances leading to the crash.
To ascertain the cause of the mishap, the Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry, according to reports.
The accident has also drawn widespread attention online after a selfie reportedly taken by Major General Mehta following the crash surfaced on social media platforms and quickly went viral.
The latest incident has once again highlighted concerns regarding the ageing fleet of Cheetah helicopters, which have been serving the Indian armed forces since the 1970s. The helicopters are frequently deployed for transport, surveillance, and logistical support missions in difficult terrains and high-altitude sectors, including Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.
The Cheetah fleet played a significant operational role during Operation Meghdoot in 1984, when Indian forces secured key positions in the Siachen Glacier region against Pakistani troops.
Over the years, several accidents involving Cheetah helicopters have been reported, leading to repeated debates over the safety and operational reliability of the ageing aircraft fleet.
The Indian military is gradually replacing the older helicopters with the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as part of its ongoing modernisation programme.
