|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 24 April 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Pilot dies after Indian military helicopter crashes in Kashmir India Friday (AFP) The pilot of an Indian Air Force helicopter died Thursday when his chopper crashed during a routine mission in the northern zone of Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said. The two-seater helicopter crashed close to a landing pad near the frontier garrison district of Uri, squadron leader Mahesh Upasini said in New Delhi, adding that there were no casualties on the ground. In Srinagar, Indian army spokesman Colonel Mukhtair Singh dismissed initial speculation that Islamic rebels could be behind the crash. "Sabotage of any kind has been ruled out by the airforce authorities," he said, adding that an inquiry has been ordered into the crash. Other airforce officials said bad weather led to the crash and added the small helicopter went down near the militarised Line of Control, the de facto border that divides the Indian and Pakistan zones of Kashmir. Visibility has been poor across Kashmir due to rain since early Thursday. Upasini said the helicopter was on a "routine support mission" when the accident occurred. Indian Kashmir has been wracked by Islamic insurgency since 1989. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
