Missing Helicopter in Uttarakhand: Army, SDRF Launch Massive Search for 6 People
A Trans Bharat Aviation helicopter with 6 people on board has gone missing in Uttarakhand. Army and SDRF teams are searching the Hathi Parvat region.
A high-stakes rescue operation has been launched in the rugged terrain of Uttarakhand after a civilian helicopter carrying six people went missing on Wednesday. The aircraft, operated by Trans Bharat Aviation, vanished from radar screens shortly after takeoff, prompting an immediate mobilization of security forces and disaster response teams to locate the missing passengers and crew.
The Timeline of Disappearance
According to Chamoli Superintendent of Police (SP) Surjeet Singh Panwar, the helicopter departed from the Badrinath civil helipad at approximately 1:12 PM on October 30, destined for the Sahastradhara helipad. However, the flight encountered trouble almost immediately. By 1:14 PM, just two minutes after takeoff, the aircraft's transmission link with the radar was severed near Joshimath.
Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Anand Swaroop further noted that contact was lost around 2:00 PM near Marwari, above Joshimath, leaving the current whereabouts of the aircraft unknown.
Critical Eye-Witness Account
The search has been narrowed down thanks to a crucial report from a nearby Army post. Personnel stationed there observed the helicopter heading into the valley, approximately one kilometer above the Bhandakand Temple near Pandukeshwar. This sighting has provided a focal point for the ground teams as they navigate the treacherous landscape of the Hathi Parvat region.
Who Was on Board?
The missing aircraft was carrying a total of six individuals:
- Pilot: Himanshu Sabharwal, a resident of Delhi.
- Passengers: Five individuals hailing from Karnataka (specifically reported as being from Bengaluru).
Search and Rescue Operations on a 'War Footing'
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken immediate cognizance of the incident, directing officials to conduct the search and rescue operation on a "war footing." The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation to ensure all available resources are utilized.
Deployed Resources:
To cover the vast and difficult terrain, a multi-agency effort is currently underway:
- Ground Teams: Two specialized teams have been dispatched—one from the Pandukeshwar direction and another from Joshimath. These teams comprise personnel from the local police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army.
- Additional Support: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the district administration have also been deployed.
- Aerial Assistance: A drone has been launched from Gopeshwar to provide a bird's-eye view of the valley and help pinpoint the wreckage or survivors.
Authorities have stated that a comprehensive search is being conducted across both ground and air, and updates will be provided as soon as preliminary information becomes available from the field.