Chopper crisis ends, Pak frees Indian crew

Official sources have confirmed that the issue of an Indian Army helicopter being forced to land in PoK by Pakistani military, has been resolved.

Pakistan Defence Ministry has said that they are not releasing the chopper but crew will be returned soon.

They are satisfied with verification and everything has been worked out at Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) level.

Pakistan's chief military spokesman General Athar Abbas said, "All the Indian crew member have been released and they are on the way to India and the matter has been resolved.

Earlier, Pakistani military on Sunday forced an Indian Army helicopter to land in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and took four personnel on board into 'military custody' after the chopper allegedly violated the country's airspace in the Kargil sector.

In New Delhi, Indian army sources said bad weather could be a reason behind the Cheetah helicopter's entry into PoK.

A statement issued by Abbas had said: "An Indian helicopter was forced to land once it violated Pakistani airspace at 1300 hours today in Olding sector near Skardu. Four persons, including three pilots, have been taken into custody."

The Indian helicopter had intruded "deep" into Pakistani airspace, Abbas alleged.

The detained Indian personnel were safe, he added.

The detained Indian Army personnel included a colonel, two majors and a junior commissioned officer.

Initial Pakistani media reports had said that the Indian helicopter had strayed into Pakistani airspace due to bad weather conditions in Skardu area.

The helicopter belonging to Army's Aviation Corps was on its way to Bhimbhat from Leh when it landed in PoK, Indian army sources said in New Delhi.

It carried one engineering officer, One JCO and two pilots, they said, adding action is in hand to retrieve the detained personnel and the chopper.

(With additional inputs from PTI)