Viral Selfie After Army Helicopter Crash in Ladakh Highlights Survival of Three Officers

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Ladakh: A photograph of three injured Indian Army officers sitting beside a wrecked military helicopter in Ladakh has gone viral after they survived a crash in one of India’s toughest high-altitude regions.

The accident took place in Tangste near Leh on May 20, involving a Cheetah helicopter from the Army’s ageing fleet. Among those onboard were Major General Sachin Mehta, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, along with a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major who were flying the aircraft.

Despite the helicopter being badly damaged in the crash, all three officers survived with injuries, an outcome many officials described as remarkable given the dangerous terrain and flying conditions in Ladakh.

The image taken after the crash quickly spread across social media, showing the officers seated on rocks near the destroyed aircraft moments after escaping the accident.

Military authorities have now ordered an investigation into what caused the helicopter to go down.

The crash has once again drawn attention to the Indian Army’s continued use of Cheetah helicopters, which have been operating since the 1970s and have been involved in several accidents over the years. The helicopters are widely used in high-altitude areas such as Siachen and Ladakh because of their ability to fly in extreme conditions.

India has started replacing the ageing fleet with the indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, though many Cheetah helicopters remain in active service.

The Cheetah helicopter played a major role in some of India’s toughest military operations, including missions in the Siachen Glacier, and is still considered one of the world’s most capable helicopters for high-altitude flying despite concerns over its age.