3 Indian Army officers had a narrow escape after a Cheetah helicopter crashed in the Tangste region near Leh in Ladakh during an operational sortie, officials said on Saturday.
According to officials, the crash took place on May 20 in the mountainous high-altitude area. All three officers on board sustained minor injuries and are reported to be safe.
The helicopter was reportedly piloted by a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major, while Major General Sachin Mehta was travelling as a passenger.
Officials said the difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions in Ladakh once again highlighted the serious operational challenges faced by military pilots deployed in remote mountainous regions.
A selfie reportedly taken by Major General Mehta after the crash later surfaced on social media and quickly went viral, with many users describing the officers’ survival as miraculous considering the rugged terrain and the ageing condition of the helicopter fleet.
Authorities have ordered an official inquiry to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The incident has also renewed concerns regarding the safety and reliability of the Indian Army’s ageing Cheetah helicopters, which have remained in service since the 1970s.
The helicopters are widely used by the armed forces for operations in difficult mountain areas such as Siachen and Ladakh because of their ability to operate in extreme high-altitude conditions.
Over the decades, the Cheetah fleet has played an important role in several military missions, including Operation Meghdoot launched in 1984 to secure strategic positions in the Siachen Glacier region.