Helicopter crashed in Katra, seven dead

Jammu: A helicopter taking pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi temple crashed near Katra in Jammu and Kashmir.

Police said, seven people were killed in the crash. The Himalayan Heli Services helicopter was crashed at 12.55 p.m.

“The helicopter belonging to Himalayan Heli Services had taken off from Sanjhichhat helipad near the shrine. It was supposed to land at the Katra Bus Stand helipad when it crashed in the mountain area,” a police official told IANS.

“All the seven people on board, including the pilot, have died, as the chopper caught fire immediately on crashing on the mountainside.

Those on board the helicopter have been identified as pilot Sunita Vijayan, and six pilgrims Arjun Singh, Maheshwar, Vandana, Akshita, Amritpal Singh and Sachin.

Senior police and civil administration officers, including the district magistrate and the district police chief, rushed to the crash spot immediately after the news spread in the area.