Army chopper lands in PoK, crew in ‘military custody’

Oct 23, 2011 |

New Delhi/Islamabad

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Pakistani military on Sunday forced an Indian Army helicopter to land in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and took four personnel on board into "military custody" after the chopper allegedly violated the country's airspace in the Kargil sector.

Pakistan's chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the Indian personnel were in "military custody" and being questioned about the incident.

"We are trying to establish contacts (with the Indian Army leadership) though the two DGMOs (Director-General of Military Operations) have not spoken so far," Abbas told PTI.

Asked how the Pakistan Army intended to resolve the issue, he said: "I will not speculate on this matter. Whatever comes out of the investigation and inquiry (will decide the way forward)."

In New Delhi, Indian Army sources said bad weather could be a reason behind the Cheetah helicopter's entry into PoK.

Earlier, a statement issued by Abbas said: "An Indian helicopter was forced to land once it violated Pakistani airspace at 1300 hours today in Olding sector near Skardu. Four persons, including three pilots, have been taken into custody."

The Indian helicopter had intruded "deep" into Pakistani airspace, Abbas alleged.

The detained Indian personnel were safe, he added.

Indian authorities across the Line of Control had been informed about the incident, Abbas said. He also did not say how the helicopter was forced to land about 20 kms inside PoK.

The detained Indian Army personnel included a colonel, two majors and a junior commissioned officer, state-run APP news agency reported.

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

The helicopter belonging to Army's Aviation Corps was on its way to Bhimbhat from Leh when it landed in PoK, Indian Army sources said in New Delhi.

It carried one engineering officer, One JCO and two pilots, they said, adding action is in hand to retrieve the detained personnel and the chopper.

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