The Pilot and the Co-Pilot of the Army helicopter that crashed into the Ranjit Sagar Dam lake in Ja pilotmmu and Kashmir’s Kathua, are still missing after a day. Even though there has been no official statement on this crash, sources had, however, said on Tuesday that both the pilot and the co-pilot ‘were safe’.
Police sources in Kathua, who were part of the rescue operation after the helicopter crashed in Basohli area of the district, where the Ranjit Sagar Dam is situated, said the two are still missing. The rescuers have recovered a helmet, a pithoo bag and a pair of shoes from the Dam waters, but there has been no trace of the missing pilot and the co-pilot. The rescue operation was called off due to darkness yesterday. It is being resumed today morning. The helicopter crashed at the dam lake located about 30 km from Pathankot in Punjab and the incident took place around 10.30 am. It had taken off from Pathankot in Punjab and after flying very low, it crashed into the Dam. The forces and boats were mobilised for the search operation, after which some pieces of chopper were found, confirming it to be an Army helicopter. Specialised forces and Army divers are carrying out the search operation. The exact place of the crash has been identified and some floating material has been recovered. it is a huge lake and the operation will take time. The depth of the crash site has been measured to be over 200 feet.
