Image Source: THE TRIBUNE

One person was injured when an Indian Air Force helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing during a routine sortie in Sikkim on Thursday. An Mi-17 helicopter of the IAF was on a routine air maintenance sortie from Chaten to Mukutang in Sikkim. The helicopter took off at 6:45am but had to make a forced landing 10 NM short of the designated helipad due to bad weather. All six personnel on board 4 aircrew of IAF and 2 personnel of Indian Army are reported to be safe. One person has sustained injury. The helicopter sustained damage. Two recovery helicopters and an Army ground search party have been launched for the rescue and are yet to reach the site. An investigation has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.