“We shifted them to hospital but unfortunately both lost their lives,” a senior Army officer said. Images of the wrecked helicopter, a Cheetah, spread all over social media. The image shows the helicopter on a hill slide and locals attempting to pull the pilots out.
The crash happened at around 10.30 am, officials said. The Northern Command of the army tweeted that Major Rohit Kumar and Major Anuj Rajput “made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on 21 Sept 2021 at Patnitop.”
#LtGenYKJoshi, #ArmyCdrNC and all ranks #salute the bravehearts Major Rohit Kumar & Major Anuj Rajput who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on 21 Sept 2021 at #Patnitop and offer deepest condolences to their families.@adgpi@Tri_Service@Whiteknight_IA@IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/4QC3ccefZi
— NORTHERN COMMAND – INDIAN ARMY (@NorthernComd_IA) September 21, 2021
Union Minister Jitendra Singh tweeted saying he was “disturbed to receive the news of Army Helicopter crash around Patnitop region.” He has a word with the DC of Udhampur, Ms Indu Chib. He further added that, “The two injured Pilots are being shifted to Army Command Hospital Udhampur.” He also assured that his office was in constant touch for any further help, if required.
Disturbed to receive the news of Army Helicopter crash around #Patnitop region. Just now spoke to DC #Udhampur Ms Indu Chib.The two injured Pilots are being shifted to Army Command Hospital Udhampur. My office is in constant touch for any further help, if required.
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) September 21, 2021
This is the second army helicopter crash within the last seven weeks in Jammu and Kashmir. Last month, two pilots died after an army helicopter crashed into the Ranjit Sagar dam. The body of one of the pilots is still missing to this day.
