PATHANKOT, June 13: An Indian Air Force Apache attack helicopter made a precautionary landing in agricultural fields near Nangalpur village in Pathankot on Friday afternoon after an emergency warning was triggered in the cockpit. The two-member crew is reported to be safe, with no damage to civilian property.
This is the third such incident involving Apache helicopters in the past year.
IAF teams from the Pathankot airbase, where the US-origin AH-64 Apaches are stationed, reached the site to conduct technical checks and arrange for recovery.
Previous Incidents:
- Last week, an Apache had made a similar emergency landing near Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, during a training sortie.
- In April 2023, an Apache was severely damaged during a hard landing near Khardung La in Ladakh, requiring road evacuation.
The IAF inducted 22 Apache helicopters into service in 2019, with the 125 Helicopter Squadron based at Pathankot. The Apaches are used for anti-tank operations, bunker busting, and high-altitude support missions, especially along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.
Despite the growing number of precautionary landings, no official statement has been issued yet regarding systemic concerns or grounding of the fleet.
