Our chopper strays into PoK; returned Bad weather, pilot error reasons; India, Pak open channels, avert row

An Indian army helicopter with four officers on board strayed into Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) while on its way from Leh to Bhimbat in Drass sector, Kargil, because of bad weather and pilot error on Sunday afternoon. The Cheetah helicopter landed in Olding sector of Skardu in the northern areas of PoK and triggered alarm on both sides.
The issue could have escalated into a major diplomatic and military row had Pakistan detained the crew — two Majors, one Colonel and a junior commissioned officer — even overnight. However, India and Pakistan — countries with a volatile past — showing exemplary restraint and understanding, acted promptly and used both military and diplomatic channels effectively to resolve the situation within hours.
Pakistan accepted India's version that inclement weather alone was responsible for the incident. India, in turn, appreciated Pakistan for not escalating the issue.
The Indian crew was interrogated for over six hours by Pakistani officials. The four officers were let off by evening after hectic discussions between the director general of military operations on both sides and intervention at the diplomatic level.
"The matter has been resolved and the helicopter and its crew are back at their base in Kargil," Indian army spokesperson Virender Singh told DNA. "We are relieved that our officers and helicopter are back in India. We greatly appreciate the manner in which Pakistan worked with us in resolving the matter," said Vishnu Prakash, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs.

National Security Advisor SS Menon and defence minister AK Antony apprised prime minister Manmohan Singh of the developments.
Earlier on Sunday, the external affairs ministry had confirmed that an army helicopter had strayed across the Line of Control due to inclement weather. A detailed statement later said the helicopter was on its way to Bhimbat in Drass sector to repair a technical snag in another army helicopter. "The helicopter inadvertently crossed the line of control due to bad weather and pilot error," a senior army official said.
Brigadier Sanjay Chawla of the Northern Command headquarters at Udhampur told DNA that it was an administrative flight that encountered bad weather and went missing. There was, however, little clarity from the Indian army on whether the helicopter made an emergency landing or was forced to land. It was also not clear as to how the helicopter strayed almost 20 kilometres inside the Pakistani territory.
"Cheetah helicopters do not have a navigation system and usually use valley maps for navigation. Efforts are on to replace them with more advanced helicopters," an army official told DNA.
The airframe life of a Cheetah helicopter is about 4,500 hours, but most of them have already clogged over 6,000 flying hours. The engine life of the chopper is 1,750 hours and most of them have gone past that too.