Army crash victim cremated in Nashik

Major Nikhil Prakash, one of the three aviation officers killed in the helicopter crash in Dzukou valley near the Nagaland-Manipur border on August 18, was given full military honours before he was cremated in Deolali in Nashik on Saturday afternoon.

A promising Indian army aviator, Major Prakash’s budding career came to a tragic end, along with those of three officers, Colonel PK Pal and pilot Major Rakesh Sharma of 3 Corps, when the Cheetah helicopter carrying them crashed. 

The helicopter had taken off from Ranghapahar and was heading to Imphal, Manipur when it crashed on the Mount Tuyazu hill slope in Dzukuo valley at Viswema village 30km away from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. There were no survivors.

Army officials cited ‘poor weather conditions’ as the reason for the crash. Major Prakash’s body was flown to Hill Range Society, Deolali, in Nashik. He belonged to an army family.

While Prakash’s maternal grandfather is a retired Brigadier, his father died in an accident during service. Major Prakash had lost his mother last month and was in Deolali to attend her last rites.

He was married to Madhu, also an army officer from his unit, nine months ago. She had recently joined him at his posting on the eastern frontier.

Prior to the cremation, a wreath laying ceremony was held at Deolali camp as a mark of respect. The wreaths were laid on behalf of the army hierarchy, including Colonel Commandant Army Aviation.