Pak Mi-17 helicopter flies 300m near LoC

New Delhi: Violating the agreed terms of flying by military aircraft along the Line of Control (LoC), a Pakistani military Mi-17 helicopter on Wednesday came to about 300 metres from the Pakistani side across Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

The incident occurred between 9.45 am and 10 am opposite the Khari Karmara sector and violated the laid-down norms by both sides, under which rotary wing aircraft should not come within one kiolmetre of the LoC while fixed-wing aircraft should not come within 10 km of the LoC.

Clarifying that it was not a violation of Indian airspace, an Indian military source said it was neither a major incident nor an unprecedented one. “The Mi-17 helicopter was not armed. Such incidents keep on happening,” the source said, adding that it will be taken at the appropriate forum and level with Pakistan.

There were three helicopters spotted in the area, of which only one came in close to the LoC. It quickly flew back.

The incident assumes significance in the backdrop of tense India-Pakistan ties of late, which has resulted in very high numbers of ceasefire violations with cross-border shellings and gunfire.

A lot of deaths both of soldiers and civilians have taken place on both sides while maiming many more. This year itself, 21 persons, including 12 security personnel, have die on the Indian side and over 75 others, mostly civilians, injured.