Chopper makes emergency landing in Vaishnodevi hills

Seven persons, including the pilot, were injured when a Pawan Hans helicopter carrying Vaishnodevi pilgrims, made an emergency landing in Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir following a technical fault detected soon after take-off.

A Pawan Hans helicopter with 6 pilgrims was returning from Sanjtichat-based helipad and made an emergency landing at Salal-Dabri area after the pilot detected a technical snag after take-off, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Udhampur-Reasi range, Jagjeet Kumar told PTI.

During the emergency landing, the helicopter tilted due to non-availability of proper space resulting in injuries 7 people including 6 pilgrims, the DIG said.

A Pawan Hans official in Delhi said the pilot detected the technical fault in the engine and made a "precautionary landing" at Katra.

Police teams were rushed to the spot from Bhawan and Katra belts and the injured have been hospitalised.

The pilot was identified as Col A Parmar.

Katra is a small town situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains where the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi is located.

Over one crore pilgrims visit cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi annually.

Pawan Hans and Global Victra helicopter services are ferrying pilgrims between Sanjichat-based helipad and Katra base camp daily.