Dainik Nation News Portal
Air Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Friday described as a “big mistake” the IAF shooting down its helicopter in Kashmir on February 27, when Indian and Pakistani forces were engaged in a dogfight, and said disciplinary action is being taken against officers held responsible for the incident.
A surface-to-air missile of the Indian Air Force brought down the Mi-17 aircraft in Budgam in the Kashmir Valley, killing six IAF personnel on board the chopper and a civilian on the ground.
The court of inquiry (CoI) ordered into the incident has completed its probe and it has been established that the helicopter was hit by IAF’s own missile, Bhadauria, who over as chief of the Air Force on Monday, said while addressing his first press conference.
“It has been established that the helicopter was hit by our own missile. We have already taken administrative action. Disciplinary action is being taken against two officers. We admit that it was a big mistake and necessary steps have been taken so that such incident does not recur,” he said ahead of Air Force Day on October 8.
Before the press conference, the IAF showed representational video clips of the Balakot strike.
Administrative action has already been taken against four officers held responsible for the helicopter crash by the CoI. Separately, disciplinary action like court martial procedures are being initiated against two senior officers, IAF officials said.
The probe found there were “vital gaps” in communication and coordination between the ground staff and the crew of the chopper. It also found violations of standard operating procedures.
Earlier, military sources said the probe found that the ‘Identification of Friend or Foe’ (IFF) system on-board the helicopter was switched off and there were “vital gaps” in communication and coordination between the ground staff and the crew of the chopper.
