Three Indian Army officers, including a senior commander, had a narrow escape after a Cheetah helicopter crashed in the mountainous Tangste region near Leh in Ladakh, officials said. The incident took place on Wednesday but came to light on Saturday, triggering fresh concerns over the safety record of the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet used in high-altitude operations.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the single-engine helicopter was being piloted by a lieutenant colonel and a major, while Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3 Infantry Division, was onboard as a passenger. All three officers suffered only minor injuries and managed to walk away from the crash site.

A probe has now been ordered to determine the cause of the helicopter crash.

The latest Army helicopter crash has once again brought attention to the ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleet, which continues to play a crucial role in supplying troops and carrying out operations in remote high-altitude regions, including the Siachen glacier.