An Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter flying an operational sortie near Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh 

An Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter flying an operational sortie near Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh lost contact with the ATC at around 09:15 AM on 16 March 23.

 Five search parties of Indian Army, SSB and ITBP were immediately launched. The wreckage of the aircraft was found near *Village Banglajaap* East of Mandala.

 With regret we inform that the pilot and the co pilot of the helicopter lost thier lives in the accident.

 A Court of Inquiry is being ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

 Lt col Mahendra Rawat PRO DEFENCE GUWAHATI