Assam: IAF chopper makes emergency landing in Nalbari, pilots safe

Guwahati: An MI-17 medium-lift transport helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing at an open ground in Sorabari locality of lower Assam’s Nalbari district on Tuesday morning owing to a technical snag.

As per sources, the IAF chopper that was carrying two pilots on board was flying with another IAF helicopter from Hasimara airbase in Alipurduar district of West Bengal and had to make a precautionary landing at Sorabari after developing a technical glitch during the flight. The two choppers were flying to the Air Force Station in Borjhar near Guwahati.

Meanwhile, police officials, who rushed to the spot immediately after the incident, informed that the two IAF pilots on board the technical snagged chopper were safe.

Interestingly, villagers in large numbers gathered at the spot where the IAF chopper made an emergency landing to have a glimpse of the aircraft.

Speaking to media persons, a local villager informed that they sighted the chopper coming to a lower height around 9.45 in the morning and eventually it landed at an open ground in the locality.

Incidentally, IAF authorities present at the spot maintained silence and refused to comment on the incident to the media. So far, there is no official statement provided by the defence authorities.

However, after undergoing repairing works by an expert team from Borjhar Air Base for nearly three hours, the IAF chopper safely flew from the emergency landing spot.