Militants now target copters in Jammu

Militants are attempting to shoot down helicopters over the jungles of Doda in Jammu and higher reaches of north Kashmir, prompting the Union home ministry to issue a circular on appropriate height to maintain during flight and securing landing area at helipads.

The circular was issued after central security agencies reported to the ministry a hole in the tail of a Pathankot helicopter squadron that had returned after a sortie from militancy-hit Doda, official sources said.

Forensic examination of the 20mm hole on the side of the helicopter’s tailfin stunned sleuths and air force officials as it confirmed that it was caused by a bullet.

The most probable location of firing was Doda in Jammu & Kashmir. The helicopter’s flight-path was chalked out and it was found that it was flew over the jungles of Doda, after which a conclusion was drawn that militants could have attempted to target the helicopter that was on a regular Pathankot-Kud-Mundhar-Batot sortie, the sources said.