Mukherjee condoles loss of lives in Uttarakhand chopper crash

President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the death of at least 20 persons in crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) MI-17 V 5 helicopter in Uttarakhand yesterday.

The dead persons included personnel belonging to the IAF, ITBP and the NDRF who were performing rescue and relief work.

In a condolence message to Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Mukherjee said, "In this moment of grief, I offer my most profound condolences to the grieving families of the victims. I salute the courage and supreme sacrifice of the heroes who laid down their lives in the line of duty."

"I am proud of the exemplary manner in which the IAF has responded to the challenge of rescuing and saving thousands of lives in the face of the fury of nature and at a time of grave crisis. The IAF's determination to "keep moving on" irrespective of the tragedy and until the last stranded pilgrim is rescued is in the finest traditions of the Indian Armed Forces," he added.

Conveying his sincere words of sympathy to the families of the deceased personnel, Mukherjee said: "I pray to the Almighty to give the bereaved families the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss".

At least 20 people were killed as the IAF Mi-17 crashed north of Gaurikund while returning from a rescue mission from Guptkashi and Kedarnath.

The IAF had started inducting Mi-17 V5 choppers only last year after ordering 80 of them from Russia.

This is the second incident of a helicopter crash this week in the hill state.

A private helicopter carrying relief materials for the rain-affected people in Rudraprayag district had crashed on Sunday near Gaurikund leaving the pilot injured.