Two pilots were on board the Indian Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter that crashed near the Mandala hills area in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, officials said.
An Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter flying an operational sortie near Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh has crashed near the Mandala hills area of the state, informed Defence Guwahati Public Relations Officer Lt col Mahendra Rawat.
"Received an intimation from the Honourable Prime Minister's office that the Defence Ministry would provide full support and the office of the Honourable Prime minister will monitor the situation (of forest fires) closely," said Rane.
In the wake of the accident off the Mumbai coast two days ago, the defence forces have halted the operations of the ALH Dhruv helicopters till the time investigators find the reason for the incident and precautionary checks are carried out.
"Today's operations have seen this helicopter flying multiple missions dispensing almost 22,000 litres of water to fight the fire," read the official release.
In a bid to douse the forest fire, raging for the last five days, Helicopters of the Indian Navy on Wednesday conducted sorties over the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
"An Indian Navy ALH on a routine flying mission off Mumbai experienced a sudden loss of power and rapid loss of height. The pilot carried out controlled ditching over water. All three aircrew exited the helicopter safely and were recovered as part of a swift Rescue Operation," said Indian Na
"Indian Navy ALH on a routine sortie off Mumbai ditched close to the coast. Immediate Search and Rescue ensured the safe recovery of the crew of three by naval patrol craft," the Indian Navy spokesperson said in a tweet.