Mi-17 chopper crash was huge mistake: IAF Chief

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force chief on Friday admitted that the Mi-17 chopper which crashed on 27th February was a big mistake on part of the air force.

Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria told the Indian news agency the crash, he said, “Court of Inquiry completed and it was our mistake as our missile had hit our own chopper.”

Rakesh Kumar Singh said, “We will take action against two officers. We accept this was our big mistake and we will ensure such mistakes are not repeated in the future.”

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In the crash, at least seven people, including Indian six security forces personnel, reportedly died when the Indian helicopter Mi-17 V5 in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK).

Investigators had earlier found that the Indian air defence missile was fired shortly before the crash of the Mi17 V5 helicopter at Budgam near Srinagar. But the Indian Air Force had yet to accept its own fault.

The incident had taken place during a period of heightened India-Pakistan tensions, the same day that the Pakistan Air Force shot down an Indian aircraft when it intruded into Pakistani airspace.

Pakistan arrested an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on the ground. He was later handed over to the Indian air force pilot as a goodwill gesture.