Helicopter To Vaishno Devi Crashes Near Katra, 7 Including Pilot Dead | News World India

7 people including a female pilot were killed when a helicopter crashed near Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. The helicopter was ferrying pilgrims to the holy Vaishno Devi shrine. Meanwhile chopper services have been stopped in the Katra area.

“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 said.

“All seven people aboard, including the pilot have died,” he added.

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

The chopper caught fire immediately on crashing on the mountainside.

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.

(With IANS inputs)