Army chopper crashes in Siachen, pilots safe

An Advanced Light Helicopter of the Indian Army crashed Monday morning in the Siachen glacier area of Jammu and Kashmir, defence sources said here.

Both pilots of the helicopter, better known as Dhruv, were, however, safe, officials told IANS. Their names were not immediately released.

The chopper was carrying food and other supplies from the Siachen base camp to forward posts when it crashed, officials said.

A highly placed army source said: "The ALH crashed around 8.15 a.m.. Fortunately, both the pilots are safe."

The cause of the crash would be ascertained, and a court of inquiry will be constituted, sources said.

Siachen, regarded as the highest battleground in the world, stands at a height of 18,000 to 21,000 feet above sea level. Both India and Pakistan have forces deployed at the 72-sq-km glacier.