2 pilots, one civilian killed in Mi-17 chopper crash in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam

Two pilots and a civilian has been killed after Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 crashed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district. “Some aircraft has fallen. As of now, we aren't in a position to ascertain anything. The technical team is here, they will ascertain facts,” SSP Budgam has said. The crash took place in Garend Kalan village of Budgam at around 10.40 am. Srinagar airport has also been shut down following the crash. Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Air Force personnel have rushed to the spot.

The incident comes a day after the IAF’s successful counter-terror air strike in Pakistan’s Balakot area in which Jaish-e-Mohammed’s major terror camp was completely destroyed.

Since the air strike, the Line of Control has witnessed heavy firing from the Pakistani side. In powerful retaliation, Indian forces bombed five forward posts across the LoC. The February 14 attack in Pulwama that claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel has sparked the most tense episode in Indo-Pak bilateral ties. The February 26 air strike has just added to the issue. The flare-up between the two nuclear powers is being watched closely by the world powers.