Mi-17 chopper shot down by own missile on Feb 27: India Air Chief

We accept this was our big mistake and we will ensure such mistakes are not repeated in future: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria

New Delhi: India’s Air Force chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria has finally admitted that an Indian missile mistakenly hit to Mi-17 chopper, which crashed near Srinagar on February 27 this year.

“Court of Inquiry completed and it was our mistake as our missile had hit our own chopper,” Indian Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria told the indian news agency on Friday.

The Indian air defense missile was fired shortly before the crash of the Mi17 V5 helicopter at Budgam near Srinagar, Investigators had earlier found, But the Indian Air Force had yet to accept its own fault.

“We will take action against two officers. We accept this was our big mistake and we will ensure such mistakes are not repeated in future,” the Indian air chief said.

At least seven people, including Indian six security forces personnel, reportedly died when the Indian helicopter Mi-17 V5 crashed in the Indian occupied Kashmir region.

The incident had taken place during a period of heightened India-Pakistan tensions, the same day that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down an Indian aircraft arrested an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, on the ground.

Pakistan later handed over the arrested Indian air force pilot as a goodwill gesture.