Kathua Helicopter Crash: Body of second pilot found after 75 days

JAMMU — Body of a pilot who was missing after helicopter of Indian Army’s aviation corps crashed near Ranjit Sagar Dam in the Basohli area of Kathua on August 3 was found on Sunday.

Two pilots had gone missing following the crash and body of one among them was recovered after a fortnight.

“Persistent efforts by Indian Army and Navy for 75 days which were going on day and night to recover the body of Capt Jayant Joshi, the second pilot of the helicopter which crashed in Ranjit Sagar Dam on Aug 3 has finally succeeded and body has been recovered from the lake bed using hi tech equipment,” Lt Col Devender Anand, Jammu-based Defence minister PRO, said in a statement to GNS.

“Due to the vast expanse and depth of the dam, search and rescue team was using state-of-the-art multi beam sonar equipment to scan the lake bed and based on the inputs received, the remotely operated vehicle having robotic arm along with the professional divers were launched to search the area,” he said.

He added, “During similar search on 17 Oct 2021, body was detected at a depth of 65-70 meters and immediately the ROV was launched to recover (it).”

The body after local medical examination was evacuated to Military Hospital Pathankot for further examination, he said.

“Indian Armed Forces once again demonstrate its resolve towards its soldiers and took all possible actions to recover the body of Capt Jayant Joshi, a young pilot who made the supreme sacrifice in line of duty,” he said.

Body of one of the pilots identified as Lt Col AS Baath was recovered on August 15.