Two weeks on, no report submitted on MI-17 helicopter crash incident

Srinagar, Mar 12: Even after two weeks of mysterious crash of Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 V5 helicopter on February 27 at Budgam district of Central Kashmir that left six IAF men including the pilot, co-pilot and a civilian dead, the IAF is yet to submit its report on what led to the crash despite a high level inquiry ordered by the top brass.
The incident happened on a day when Pakistan Air Force claimed to have hit the Indian jet resulting in the ejection of its pilot Abhinandan Vardhaman after which he was captured by Pakistani army. Rumours were thick that the helicopter that crashed in Budgam was also hit by Pakistan jets.
Addressing a press conference at army’s Srinagar-based headquarters in Srinagar on Monday, General officer Commanding (GoC) Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon said: “IAF was investigating the incident and the probe was on.”
Quoting sources, news agency KNO said that despite high level probe ordered by the IAF top brass to know the reasons, the inquiry report remains in limbo.
The civilian killed in the incident an orphan, who was coincidently near the spot and tried to help evacuate the dead but got stuck in the area and died after a loud bang.
The district administration of Budgam headed by deputy commissioner Syed Sehrish Asgar visited the family of slain civilian and handed over an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the brother and sister of the deceased civilian. (KNO)