Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh): An Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh this morning, killing seven military personnel. Sources said that five IAF personnel, including two pilots, and two army men were killed in the crash near the remote town of Tawang, close to the China border around 6 am.

The Russian-manufactured Mi-17 V5 helicopter was carrying supplies to a forward post of the Indian Army in the mountainous region. “A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” said the sources.

The crash comes two days ahead of Air Force Day on Oct. 8. “Our losses are a cause of concern. We are making concerted efforts to minimise accidents and preserve our assets,” Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa had said, referring to a string of crashes of IAF choppers and military jets in recent years.