SRINAGAR — Six personnel onboard an Indian military chopper and a civilian were killed on Wednesday when the aircraft crashed in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The aircraft crashed in an open field near Garend Kalan village in Budgam at 10:05 AM, officials said. It broke into two and caught fire immediately, senior officials said.
Senior Defence officials said the aircraft, an MI-17 chopper, crashed after developing a technical snag.
One of the deceased persons has been identified as Kifayat Hussain Ganaie, a local resident, while the identity of the six IAF personnel is still being ascertained, they said.
The crash, amid rapid escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, led to speculation that it was targeted by Pakistani warplanes that violated Indian airspace. But both sides clarified that it was not the case.
The crash happened a day after IAF warplanes struck in Pakistan’s Balakot.
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