Six Vaishno Devi Pilgrims Dead:Helicopter crashed near Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. The pilot is among Six people who have been killed The chopper of a private airliner, which was carrying pilgrims from Sanjichat helipad in Trikuta hills, crashed at new bus stand area in Katra, IGP Jammu, Danish Rana said.The helicopter belonged to the privately-run Himalayan Heli services.
Six Vaishno Devi Pilgrims Dead in Katra Helicopter Crash-J & K
According to unconfirmed reports, the chopper caught fire mid-air and the pilot averted the crash in a populated area in Katra.Taking to micro blogging site, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “Very sorry to hear about the chopper crash in Katra. My prayers are with the families of the victims. RIP.”
Very sorry to hear about the chopper crash in Katra. My prayers are with the families of the victims. RIP
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) November 23, 2015
Television footage showed charred wreckage strewn over a field as police kept back dozens of onlookers.The shrine devoted to Vaishnodevi, an incarnation of the three forms of Shakti, the goddess of power, is 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of the region’s main city of Jammu.Some pilgrims take private helicopters to and from Katra in the Trikuta mountains rather than travelling by road.In February a military helicopter crashed north of Srinagar, the main city in Jammu and Kashmir state, killing both pilots.
Helicopter services start from Katra on the foothills and the flight drop the pilgrims at Sanjhichatt.
Helicopter carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims crashes near Katra, 7 persons including pilot dead. (Spot visuals) pic.twitter.com/Pi4l7tCnLN
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 23, 2015
The chopper was being flown by a lady pilot. The reason for the crash is under investigation. The Jammu IG said that technical fault might also have led to the accident.No one has been injured on the ground due to the crash. Chopper services have been suspended for the time being.
