China copter in Indian skies?

IAF officials say the incident has been taken note of and that the “matter is being investigated.”

Crossing the line: A view of the Himalayas in Chamoli. The Chinese helicopter entered Barahoti in the district. File photo Virender Singh Negi

A Chinese helicopter has violated Indian air space in Barahoti area of Chamoli district along the India-China border in Uttrakhand on Sunday. Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a probe to ascertain the details.

“One chopper was sighted hovering over Barahoti area violating Indian airspace at 9.15 AM. It remained inside the Indian airspace for nearly four minutes,” Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt told news agency PTI.

According to PTI, the SP added that there have been similar incidents in the past and it has to be ascertained the latest incident was “a deliberate act of recce or an unintentional deviation.”

IAF officials when contacted said that the incident has been taken note of and the “matter is being investigated.”

( With inputs from PTI )