Army helicopter crashes in Safapora, 2 Pilots killed

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 11-Feb-2015

A pilot and a co-pilot were killed as an aircraft of army crashed in forests of Safapora in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district Wednesday evening, sources told GNS.They said the aircraft—202 Squadron from aviation range of Mansbal—hit mountain near Krushu forest area of Chewa, Safapora and crashed inside the woods, leading to the death of two pilots.Sources said that the crash led to the forest fire even as fire tenders, policemen and army are rushing to the spot, they said. 

Army's Srinagar based defence official Brijesh Panday also confirmed the helicopter crash and said that search operation has been immediately launched in the area.He said that there were two pilots on board the aircraft at the time of crash. “Two bodies have been recovered. A local resident Abdul Rashid told GNS that it may take hours for police, civil administration, fire tenders to reach the spot as it is on high altitude. Meanwhile, panic has gripped locals as smoke engulfed entire area.  (GNS)