IMPHAL, Aug 18: At least three army officers were killed when an army Cheetah helicopter crashed this morning in the interior part of Nagaland bordering Manipur this morning.
An official statement of the army officials both from PRO IGAR and PIB defense wing, Imphal, said that the helicopter was on its way from Dimapur to Imphal on a routine sortie when it was trapped in bad weather in the valley 8 kms ahead of Jakhama and crashed. It said bodies of three officers of the Indian army were recovered.
The victims have been identified as one Colonel PK Pal, Major Nikhil and Major Rakesh Sharma.
The bodies of the officers were sent to Naga Hospital Kohima for post mortem.
It said that a court of inquiry has been ordered in connection with the crash.
The GOC 3 Corps has expressed grief over the unfortunate incident.
Reports from agencies said that the helicopter left from Army 3 Corps headquarter of Rangapahar, near Dimapur around 8:25 am this morning and was heading towards Leimakhong, Manipur. The helicopter lost ground contact when it reached Dzuko valley which is a mountainous terrain bordering Manipur and Nagaland.