Major General among 3 Army officers survive Ladakh helicopter crash

Three Indian Army officers, including a Major General, survived after a Cheetah light helicopter crashed in the Ladakh sector near Leh on May 20, officials said.

The helicopter, a newer variant of the Cheetah equipped with a TM333B engine, met with an accident during an afternoon sortie. Army officials said the aircraft was carrying two pilots and Division Commander Major General Sachin Mehta at the time of the crash.

All three sustained injuries but are safe and stable, officials added. The two pilots were admitted to hospital with minor injuries.

The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the cause of the helicopter crash.

A selfie taken moments after an Army helicopter crash in eastern Ladakh has gone viral, showing injured officers who survived the crash smiling beside the wreckage in what many are calling a miraculous escape. The incident involved an Army Cheetah helicopter that crashed in the Tangste region near Leh on May 20.

The incident took place on Wednesday, but the details emerged on Friday. The helicopter was carrying Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3 Infantry Division, along with two pilots a lieutenant colonel and a major. Despite the difficult terrain and dangerous flying conditions, all three officers survived with minor injuries.

After the incident, a selfie has emerged showing an injured Major General Mehta can be seen standing near the damaged helicopter while one of the pilots flashes a victory sign. The officials said the officers are safe and stable.

The Cheetah helicopter is a long-serving aircraft in the Indian Army and is commonly used for transport, surveillance and supply operations in remote Himalayan areas. These helicopters play a major role in supporting troops stationed in difficult regions including Siachen.