Indian Army chopper lands in PoK; 4 personnel detained

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Pakistani security forces today forced an Indian Army helicopter to land after it allegedly violated the country's airspace in the Kargil sector and detained the four personnel on board.

The helicopter was forced to land after it allegedly intruded into Pakistani airspace, TV news channels quoted the Inter-Services Public Relations as saying.

Four personnel who were in the helicopter were detained by Pakistani troops. The reports did not say how the helicopter was forced to land.

"We are getting details and investigation is on. The more important thing is that the crew is safe and under safe custody," Pakistani Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said.

Initial media reports had said that the Indian helicopter had strayed into Pakistani airspace due to bad weather conditions in Skardu area.

In New Delhi, army sources said the helicopter belonging to Army's Aviation Corps was on its way to Bhimbhat from Leh.

One engineering officer, One JCO and two pilots were onboard Cheetah helicopter when it landed in PoK, they said.

The Director-General of Military operations of both the countries are in touch with each other, sources said, adding action is in hand to retrieve them.