Wrapping mortal remains of killed men in cardboards an aberration: Army

The Indian Army on Sunday said wrapping the bodies of men, who died in a helicopter crash in Arunachal Pradesh, "in local resources is an aberration".

Pictures circulating on social media showed bodies of killed personnel wrapped in what appeared to be plastic sheets and cardboard, inviting criticism.

"The mortal remains of helicopter accident on October 6 recovered, (and) sent wrapped in local resources is an aberration," the Army said in a tweet from its official handle.

"Fallen soldiers always given full military honour. Carriage of mortal remains in body bags, wooden boxes, and coffins will be ensured," another tweet said.

Lt General H.S. Panag (retired) earlier tweeted a picture and said: "Seven young men stepped out into the sunshine yesterday, to serve their motherland. India. This is how they came home."

"Proper military body bags must be used to transport bodies from forward locations until ceremonial coffins available," he said.

An Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed on Friday morning in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district near the China border, killing five men of the Indian Air Force and two of the Army.

The Russian-manufactured chopper had taken off from Khirmu and was on way to Yangtse to drop off kerosene jerrycans at an Army camp of the 10 Madras Regiment.

The wreckage was located at Tapugar area, about 130 km from Tawang.

--IANS

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