CoI ordered, spot selfie goes viral
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 23: Three Army officers, including a senior commander, escaped with minor injuries after a Cheetah helicopter crash-landed in the high-altitude Tangtse sector of eastern Ladakh near Leh.
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The incident took place the other day during an operational flight in the rugged mountainous terrain of Ladakh, one of the most challenging flying environments in the world.
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According to officials, the helicopter was carrying Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s 3 Infantry Division, while a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major were piloting the aircraft. All three occupants survived the crash and were able to walk away with only minor injuries.
The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the circumstances that led to the crash. Preliminary assessments are underway, though the exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
The Cheetah helicopter, a lightweight utility aircraft, has long been regarded as the backbone of India’s high-altitude aviation operations. Capable of operating at some of the world’s highest landing grounds and remote forward posts, the helicopter has played a critical role in troop transportation, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance missions and logistics support in areas such as Ladakh, Siachen Glacier and the Northeast.
Derived from the French-designed A rospatiale SA 315B Lama and manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Cheetah entered service decades ago and earned a reputation for reliability under extreme weather and terrain conditions. Despite its proven operational record, the ageing fleet has increasingly faced maintenance and serviceability challenges, prompting efforts to replace it with newer-generation helicopters.
Meanwhile, a memorable selfie taken moments after the helicopter crash-landed in eastern Ladakh has gone viral on social media, becoming a powerful symbol of courage, resilience and professionalism under extreme circumstances.
The photograph, widely shared across social media platforms on Saturday, shows Major General Sachin Mehta, posing calmly with two fellow Army officers amid the wreckage of their helicopter in the rugged Tangtse sector near Leh. While the damaged aircraft lies scattered across the rocky mountainside, the three officers appear composed and unshaken, reflecting the grit that has drawn widespread admiration online.
In the now-viral photograph, Maj Gen Mehta is seen in the foreground, while the two pilots sit behind him on the rocky slope near the twisted remains of the helicopter. One of the officers can be seen flashing a victory sign, a gesture that social media users have described as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian soldiers.
The image has sparked a wave of reactions online, with many users calling it a picture of “courage after chaos” and “the face of military resilience.”
Several veterans and defence enthusiasts shared the photograph, highlighting the extraordinary composure displayed by the officers despite having survived a potentially fatal accident.
The photograph from the accident site has already become a talking point far beyond military circles. For many, it represents not just survival, but the unwavering resolve of soldiers who continue to operate in some of the harshest conditions on Earth.
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