India relieved at return of chopper, officers from PoK

Expressing relief over return of its officers and helicopter which had strayed into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir due to bad weather, India today said it "greatly appreciates" the manner in which Pakistan has worked with it in resolving the matter.

"We are relieved that our officers and helicopter are back in India. We greatly appreciate the manner in which Pakistan worked with us in resolving the matter," Ministry of Exteranal Affairs said in Delhi.

The Indian Army chopper which strayed into PoK earlier in the day was forced by Pakistani military to land there but the crisis was quickly defused and the helicopter carrying four Army personnel returned safely to Kargil.

The Ministry of External Affairs earlier said the Cheetah helicopter, flying from Leh to Bhimbad, with four officers on board, strayed across the Line of Control (LoC) due to inclement weather and landed in PoK.

Pakistani Army said the chopper was forced to land once it "violated" the airspace over their country.

One Engineering officer of Lieutenant Colonel rank, two Majors (both pilots) and one JCO (technician), who were onboard the helicopter, were taken into "military custody" and questioned by Pakistani authorities.

Less than five hours after the incident, the chopper with all its crew were allowed to return and landed in Kargil just before sunset.