Daijiworld Media Network – Leh

Leh, May 23: An Indian Army Cheetah light helicopter crashed in the Ladakh sector on May 20, leaving three Army personnel injured, including Division Commander Sachin Mehta.

According to Army officials, Major General Mehta and the two pilots sustained injuries in the crash. All three officers were evacuated and are currently reported to be safe and stable.

The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the cause of the accident. Further details surrounding the circumstances leading to the crash are awaited.

Officials said the helicopter was carrying a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major and Major General Sachin Mehta, who presently serves as the General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Infantry Division.

The single-engine Cheetah helicopter was being piloted by the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major at the time of the incident.

The accident, which occurred on May 20, was officially confirmed by the Army on Saturday.

The Cheetah helicopter is widely used by the Indian Army for transport and operational duties in high-altitude regions such as Ladakh and Siachen due to its capability to operate in extreme weather and terrain conditions.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the ageing Cheetah helicopter fleet, which has remained in service since the 1970s and has been involved in multiple crashes over the years.

Despite recurring safety concerns, the helicopters played a crucial role in several military operations, including Operation Meghdoot in 1984.

The five-seater helicopters are regarded among the world’s most capable high-altitude utility choppers. However, repeated accidents involving the fleet have intensified calls for quicker replacement.

The Indian Army has already begun gradually phasing out the ageing Cheetah helicopters and replacing them with indigenous Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.