Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 15: In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation, seven lives were lost in a helicopter crash near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand on Sunday morning. Among the deceased were a family from Maharashtra's Yavatmal and a former Indian Army pilot, who were onboard the ill-fated Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter.

The helicopter, which had departed from Guptkashi at 5:10 am, made a brief landing at Kedarnath Dham at 5:18 am before taking off again for the return journey just a minute later. Tragically, the chopper crashed minutes into the flight amid reports of sudden weather deterioration, bringing the journey to a fatal end near Gaurikund.

The deceased have been identified as:

• Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41) – a coal businessman from Wani, Maharashtra

• Shraddha Jaiswal – his wife

• Kashi Rajkumar Jaiswal (23 months) – their daughter

• Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (39) – the pilot from Jaipur

• Vikram Rawat (47) – an employee of the Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee

• Vinod Devi (66) and Trishti Singh (19) – both residents of Uttar Pradesh

Rajkumar Jaiswal, known for his religious devotion, had embarked on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath with his family. The couple had left their young son Vivaan at home during the trip. This journey was meant to be a spiritual retreat — one that ended in unimaginable grief.

The pilot, Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan, hailed from Jaipur and had served with distinction in the Indian Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. A highly experienced aviator, he had only recently joined Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd in October 2024. He was the father of newborn twins, sources close to the family revealed.

Eyewitnesses and authorities suspect poor visibility and inclement weather led to the crash. The pilot’s attempt to navigate out of the narrowing valley was unsuccessful, resulting in a fiery crash that left the bodies charred beyond recognition.

Inspector General Rajiv Swaroop stated that DNA tests will be conducted before the bodies are handed over to the bereaved families due to the extent of the burns.

In response to the tragedy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a two-day suspension of helicopter services to the Kedarnath Dham, citing the need to ensure complete safety of passengers. “The safety of every devotee is our utmost priority,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been tasked with conducting a thorough probe into the incident to ascertain the exact cause and determine accountability.
This heartbreaking crash has reignited concerns over the safety of aviation services in high-altitude pilgrimage zones, especially during monsoon spells.