The helicopter intruded into Pakistani territory in Olding sector in northern Skardu region around 1:00 p.m (0800 GMT).
According to the Express 24/7 correspondent Faisal Shakeel, the military authorities have confirmed that the chopper was allowed to return to India.
The authorities, however, failed to give the reason for letting the chopper return without any investigation.
After the violation of the airspace, the Indian authorities were immediately informed about the incident and it was stated that the act would be investigated.
The military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas had told Reuters that "the helicopter had came deep into our airspace. It was forced to land. Four Indian army officers have been taken into safe custody. They are safe."
The two nuclear-armed South Asian rivals have fought three wars since their independence from British rule in 1947.
However, their relations have improved after they resumed a peace process this year which was suspended after co-ordinated attacks by Pakistan-based militants in the Indian city of Mumbai in 2008, that killed 166 people.
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@Someone: You can imagine what the consequences would have been then or have u forgotten the past?
While I fully support the return of the plane and crew, it should have been done after an open, transparent investigation. This is the first time I have heard of such a situation. Friendship is all very well and I support it fully. But THIS is bizarre.
@Srivastava: oh yes...surely!!!....all indian made goods have a distinct look.....you don't need to remind that to the rest of the world bubba
@Khan
Thanks for such a sane voice.
The lesson from this incident is simply this:
No matter how complicated an issue with cool heads we can resolve it so that both countries feel proud about it.
@omg!: Hello there you have been gifted with wonderful imagination, put it some better use.
@Cynical: your dreams did not fulfill, the plane and officers are back in India.
That was not a airspace voilation becaz PoK is the integral part of India.
good.
@Babloo: you mean AAVMIDS=“advanced audio-video manual intrusion detection system”?
@Those Indians who thanked: Hopefully these kind of gestures become so common that we take it for granted on both sides of the border. We are same people after all. @Those who are fighting here: You guys should be ashamed of yourself .. wasn't youtube enough for you to fight in front of the whole world like idi*ts that you have brought your narrow mindedness here too .. grow up please, every country and nation on this earth has their weak points and none of you are giving any favor or service to your country but are just wasting your time.
We should give them a good lesson so that next time they will not have courage to cross our border.
Thanks for having mercy on us Indians.
20 KM inside Gilgiit baltistan and the crew is given the luxury to land in Skardu military airfield . Sounds like even if it was not on a spy mission the Indian officers will have a wealth of info to pass on to their military (including the terrain and possible military bases they flew over on way to Skardu).
Some thing about this incident suggests it did not enhance Pakistan security in this area.
Why a foreign military helicopter was allowed to travel that far..second time within a year?
It was around 2-3 pm in Skardu when the "advanced audio-video manual intrusion detection system" ( a someone looking at the sky ) , spotted the Indian helicopter that had strayed 20-30 miles inside LoC.
You mean the helicopter technology was not shared with all weather friend China as it was done with the American copter?
well,at least they were awake;when drones come,they pretend sleep anyway,good gesture
@SU 30MK1
"I am defintely not surprized with bravado speech from otherside."
what? did you Indians forget the many bravado talks all of you spewed here. You yourself is an example of one.
"Such intrusion happens between such porous border. There are times, we have slightly intruded in chinese side, and so did chinese on indian side. Mature nations know how to react to such things."
owh oh, look at this comment. Your hyper jingoistic media depicted the "Chinese incursion" as an act of war and your tool in Kashmir even said that India will take action...when it is summer... yeah, I kid you not, Indians will wait until summer to take action against the "Chinese incursion"..the matured Indians in action:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/283657951incursions-into-indian-territory-chinese-troops-farooq-abdullah '
"Plz dont forget, 90,000 Pakistan prisoner of war was at mercy of indian army, and we gracefully given back to you even when we were at the worst war situation. Capturing just 4 of our men has given you this much of confidence is quiet laughable. Somtimes Over confidence kilss ! so take it easy folks !"
Those 90,000 Pakistan POWs were captured by you in a hostile nation where you encircled us and stabbed us from the back. It's not your mercy that these 90,000 POWs were released, it was the Geneva Convention. Did you forget how many Pakistani fishermen you captured and left at your mercy in your brutal jails? And how many Kashmiris you hunted down and massacred in the name of your nationalism?
Secondly, if you have mercy and heart in you, you will have given independence to Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland but instead you built the largest military apparatus to terrorize 10 million people. Imagine the Chinese walking one day into Manipur and giving independence to that land, how many of your POWs will be under the mercy of these Chinese?And, let see how your hyper jingoistic media will cry foul.
Just last year the Chinese reminded you about your humiliating defeat to China in 1962. Unlike in 1971 when you rode along a hostile nation's aspiration, the 1962 war was when equal nations fought and you were rightfully defeated. Maybe too you have forgotten the context of the war and your dirty hands in 1971 and your dirty hands in Kashmir, Manipur, and Nagaland.
Well done Pakistan. A copter would have never been in our territory to carry out an operation/surveillance. This is a brave good will gesture. Hats off!
If the helicopter flew a few more miles, it would have landed in Jalalabad, Afganistan. How come Pak radars did not detect the intrusion until deep inside Pok, 1/2 way to Afghanistan ? Pak aird-defense seems very ineffective.
@IndianDude: you could have returned all of them quickly too. No body asked you to do it. You take PoWs and then cry about feeding them.
Testing waters !
Intrusion should have been checked at the LOC and not at Skardu.
We pakistanis should have a heart. I agree with Indian official statement. Our MI17 missed lost way and Landed in Kaksar in 1998, though managed escaping despite enemy fire. So have a.heart and chill.
Take back ur crew India...We r the people with a BIG HEART
They should have stolen the chopper :) here is what happens when we are done with the Kashmir issue http://mintopark.com/2011/10/23/kashmir-ki-azadi-tak/ Enjoy
This is funny. They let them go without any investigation. Maybe they came to spy and didnt carry any ammunition, and the Pakistanis let them go. Thats silly, really silly.
Good gesture by Pakistan. Just confirms my belief that operational guys and people on the ground always have more brains than clowns who sit in airconditioned offices back in big cities.
My feeling is the chopper strayed into Pak territory-after all, the terrain is all the same and its very difficult to navigate in mountains if there are low clouds. For a small chopper like the Cheetah, it would have run out of fuel soon, and therefore, wisely decided to land at the first available level ground- good that they landed somewhere which had Pak Mil personnel. They would have known within 15 mins exactly what transpired and then conveyed the same to their Bde HQ, FCNA HQ and GHQ, and then on to India. Obviously there are sensible people on both sides that managed to defuse the situation. India should be very happy that the chopper and the personnel are back safe and sound and should genuinely thank Pak Mil. For Pakistanis, its a reaffirmation that their mil leadership is top notch and professional and knows what is the right thing to do. As long as that is the case , Pak and India will both be fine. All this Taliban nonsense is temporary.
Good work by PA, appreciate that.
Thank you Pakistan. We the ordinary people do not know what really happens between our two army and gives such comment which is totally unnecessary and uncalled for. There are internationally accepted norms and laid down procedures for dealing such type cases. Pakistani army knows very well on how to deal with such cases. It is not that whenever anybody crosses its aerospace, the only option is to shoot down. The shoot down option is the last option and only used when all other option are exhausted and Pakistani army must have used all other option and forced H/C to land. Intention of erring pilots also counts along with the scenario means is it war time or peace time incidence? These all matters must have been taken into account before releasing Indian Army's H/C. Thanks PA again for your mature reaction. It will be more better if it stops regarding India as No 1 enemy.
@Babloo: Well - it is possible that they were forced to land - there is no reason for them to land right in an Pakistan army/ airforce base otherwise. But the composition of the crew - 2 engineers and all ranking officers (no one lower than major) should indicate that they were hardly there for reconnaissance or with any other ulterior motive. But hats off to the Pak military for managing the the entire episode from forced landing to refuelling and release in a very mature manner - it has done wonders for their image on both sides of the border.
It must be bad weather, so will done pakistan fir forcing them to land since they violated our sovereignty, and letting them go after making sure they were mistakenly into our airspace. That s more like a brother now.
Now since we are at good terms can we stop funding the massive Pakistan army budget
@Babloo and @Jat " It was due to pilot error, army sources told Hindustan Times. The chopper was on its way from Leh to Bimbat area in Kargil when it strayed into Pakistani occupied Kashmir territory." Please correct it!!!
The military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas had told Reuters that ”the helicopter had came "deep into our airspace'. Another Abbottabad waiting to happen.........
let Pakistan sent a helicopter into Indian side and see the reaction ..i don't think that within hours they are going to send the Pakistani crew back along with chopper .
After studying Pakistan for 14 years, am pleasantly surprised by this act of friendship from the Pakistan Army. A lot of Indian hawks have been deflated by this action and for a while at least, their cries of hostility and war will be muted. Pakistan Zindabad!
Take it easy guys. I don't recall you all making such a din every time the drones kill Pakistanis. The Indians didn't come to kill, they ventured in by mistake. Its a wonderful gesture of friendship, which the Indians will reciprocate when their chance comes. So much hue and cry when it comes to India and not a murmur when dozens of drones bomb us everyday. Get your priorities right.
The distance of N Skardu to LoC is same distance as distance of SriNagar to Loc , as the bird flies.
If Pakistan copter crossed LoC and landed 30-40 miles inside in Srinagar, it would be a huge embaressment to India.
The minute it was reported, the news wire said it was due to bad weather. Pak did the right thing and hopefully the Indians were treated cordially, given some chai and returned home. It was not their fault and no RAW Mossad CIA conspiracy was at play. They lost their way in bad weather and should be returned home safely. Well done Pak Army.
Just to remind my Pakistani friends that about an year back, a Pakistani soldier who strayed across the IB accidently was returned unharmed to Pakistan immediately. Pakistan has returned the favour to India today, showing great maturity and goodwill.
Thank you Pakistan. This quick action will not go unrewarded. Good.
We had clothed and fed 94,000 of your "brave" army for years in 1971. After returning this "four" officers, pakistan owes us 93,996 more "favors".
@Yousaf: It was provided by the same news agency, Reuters, to both the papers.
For this magnanimous gesture from Pakistan I promise not to ever make an anti Pakistan comment. Pakistani actions speak louder than words.
Shukriya. Tahe Dil se shukriya.
@Someone: Just like Pakistan has shot down hundreds of US drones and fighter aircraft, right?
Seems like cool heads prevailed this time. And relationship with India is sure improving. Good signs or peace in the region.
The Pakistani army has released the Indian chopper and crews. What does it mean?
Apart from left and centre leaning politicians, even the Pakistani army is realizing perpetual enmity with India is not in the interest of Pakistan. It is time to make our neighborhood little more safer for us to live and better for our children to live and grow.Let's stop this nonsense of letting all powers in the world to come to our backyard to kick us around like football.
I think both India and Pakistan are maturing.
Commonsense prevailed in the end..!! I hope India reciprocates the same in future. (Proud Pakistani)
This shows that Indian has stakes in Aghanistan and in Pakistan during this on going war after Hilary visit. ISI should be moving fast in order to track down more Indian agents in our Country.
Were the indian pilots served chai?
Well done Pakistan army!! There is so much potential in Indo-Pak relationship to move forward.
A welcome gesture from Pakistan hope this starts an era of co-operation between our countries. We have had enough of hate for the last 64yrs.
I guess Pakistan has it's plate full of trouble, did not want another front. Smart move by Pakistan none the less.
Wel Done BoyzzZZ. This is called ""The Nightmare for the Enemy""
Grow up... leave hate and animosity and strive to feed your people... both India and Pakistan have a big number of people who live below the poverty line. Mature now before others force you into maturity
whats this??? why pakistan has let them go? they should have been investigated here. and after two or three days investigation, they should have been hand over to india then. its not a small case, after all an indian helicopter deep in our territory.
the trash has been returned
According to Indian Media Pakistan has decided to realse Indian Helicopter and crew members after investigation. It is good news for India-Pakistan Friendship. This type of understanding is need of the hours. The readers from both sides should not over react on such type of developments.
Initial media reports had said that the Indian helicopter had strayed into Pakistani airspace due to bad weather conditions in Skardu area.
"It is understood that an army Cheetah helicopter, flying from Leh to Bhimbad, earlier in the day, with four officers on board, strayed across the Line of Control (LoC) due to inclement weather and landed in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK),” Ministry of External Affairs said.
So yes, no one forced anything. Bad weather forced the landing. The crew and the chopper are back in India.
Calm down Pakistanis. The chopper is back in Kargil. Worry about the yanks, everything is safe on your eastern borders.
indians freed helicopter returned - Pakistanis have larger hearts :)
@Su 30MKI:
But Pakistani people here think it was the other way around. Ask them, they are convinced Pakistan won the war and liberated Bangldesh.
There never was 90,000 POW's according Pakistan's history books. You know all other historical sources such Wikipedia for example is contralled by CIA/RAW/Mossad trio and are determined to disgrace Pakistan, a great nation and the cradle of civilization in the eyes of the world!
https://twitter.com/#!/ShivAroor/status/128086814996180993
things drifted due to weather. apparently Pakistan fueled the chopper and sent them back
Pakistan released the chopper and refueled it too. Thanks! mature response by Pakistani authorities.
Bravo Bravo Pak Army.............. the indian must Doing Raking in our terriority.........there should be accountability.....
@Usman:
Why would anyone want to mess with great nation like Pakistan? No one in their right minds, right Usman/
Have a good look, no touching, It's Made In India.
oh boys ! just a breaking news... our chopper just returned back with men on board, and just entered into our terrority of kargil.. Our army spokersperson says such intrusion happens from time to time, but say this time it was bit too longer...whatever, its all ends well..So shall we close this chapter for good ????
sick comments
I am defintely not surprized with bravado speech from otherside. Such intrusion happens between such porous border. There are times, we have slightly intruded in chinese side, and so did chinese on indian side. Mature nations know how to react to such things.
Plz dont forget, 90,000 Pakistan prisoner of war was at mercy of indian army, and we gracefully given back to you even when we were at the worst war situation. Capturing just 4 of our men has given you this much of confidence is quiet laughable.
Somtimes Over confidence kilss ! so take it easy folks !
Thanks a lot Pakistan Army for gurading Pakistan (y)
When we dont know the facts, then why our Indian friends are so sure what exactly happened? . If you make such silly mistakes (going really deep inside another country's territory), you dont have the right to be in the army/air force! When you dont know what are the boundaries, how can you protect your own borders?
chopper should have been chopped :P LOl
why not super power india scrap these show off "flying coffins".. :D
No need to over-re-act, Between Pakistan and India there are many agreements and pacts for such incidents. As a responsible country, Pakistan will follow those agreements. Thanks God, there are still some sane generals in GHQ, Mansoora and Zaman Park groups can become B team of GHQ, they cannot dictate GHQ.
Yeah now the genius pakistanis think that indian heliicopter with only "four-crew" was there to destroy pakistan! Great...keep it up!
Indians checking if they can pull off an abbottabad. Ultimate Fail.
Great job. Bravo. Wonder why we fail when Americans cross?
ahh thank you indi friends..for giving us this feel-good opportunity to salvage our bruised ego.. I'm lovin' it ;p
Waiting for Indians to say it was a navigational mistake, waiting for Pak Liberals to come up with excuses to play this down, waiting for True Pakistanis to say, 'Don't mess with Pakistan and never take us for granted'
Pakistan Army had nothing to do with it, it landed because of bad weather, as usual PAF did not scramble jets, they are perennially asleep
@Srivastava: Skardu is way too much inside Pakistan. The only conclusion I can reach from this story is that your air force's navigation system must be either really stupid or incompetent.
"This is our chance to get that poor,innocent little brother Kasav free from Indian jail."
Some 2-3 days quota of masala for the adventurous nation and politicians ;)
well if it was unarmed and it followed whatever was commanded by the control tower, than there appears no necessity to shot that coptor!
I suppose monitoring one border is better than none. If the American's could convince you that the Taliban were Indian's no doubt you would be more effective in monitoring your Western Border.
I guess the radars were not switched off this time(When NATO choppers managed to get into Pakistani Territory and stay there for well over 1 and a half hours. Atleast thats the reason which was given).
Reports from India indicated that it had to land in Pakistan due to bad weather. Makes sense as what possible explanation could there be? With so many Remote Sensing Satellites up in Space put up by ISRO, India doesn't need Cold War era style spying with planes anymore.
If thats the case necessary investigations should be made and the people let go.
may they this particular helo with those on board wanted to check how our forces would react if they try violating airspace like americans did in abottabad operation!!!
same news in the same words to TOI too!!
well done Pakistan keep it up
I hope pakistan will act cleverly and will realeas our brave soldiers.
Happy friendship.
Indian pilots are a hazard because of big possibility of crash, good thing they were forced to land on time.
They were here to carryout an Abottababd like operation.
well bad weather can cause helos flying in mountains to intrude in each other sovereign airspace.. similar Pakistani army aviations occur on Indian side too..
what is surprising is why did the Pakistani radar station wait till the Indian helo crossed 25 kns into Pakistan it dint see it on radar or something? and why did the helo land without doing evasive manoeuvres..and who forced the helo down the Pakistani army using communication or PAF cause jets which is not possible cause of terrain
but whatever India-Pakistan have joint mechanism im sure Pakistan will release these guys with the helo as per international law..
lol king against Indians, lamb against Americans
Any other action than quick and safe return of the crew, and the chopper will be a retarded attempt to seek political and diplomatic milage. Clearly this is a case of chopper getting lost in bad weather. Pakistan should act quickly with better judgement, and not give in to conspirecy theorists.
Sakardu Is deep inside the Pakistani territory, this cannot be a mistaken violation. Surely the helicopter came with an intention.
Silly indians
I am glad to see our military has finally started taking action on violation of our airspace LOL
That was a bit too generous. The correct procedure and policy should be to shoot down any intruder air craft that purposely enters national airspace....
Waiting for everyone to overreact!
That was a bit too generous. The correct procedure and policy should be to shoot down any intruder air craft that enters national airspace.
Well done Pakistan. This is the way to protect our beloved country. Let the enemies of Pakistan get the message that there will not be another 2nd May. We have no designs to attack any country but any violations of our air space or attack on Pakistan will be dealt with iron fist.