Rescue operations resume to recover bodies after Uttarakhand helicopter crash
Six people, including a pilot and five pilgrims from Karnataka, died when a Trans Bharat Aviation helicopter crashed near Jyotirmath.
Rescue operations to recover the bodies of six people killed in a helicopter crash in Uttarakhand resumed at 5 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026, according to The Hindu. The crash occurred on Friday afternoon when a privately run Trans Bharat Aviation helicopter, carrying pilgrims from Badrinath, hit a hillside in Joshimath while returning to Dehradun.
The victims include pilot Captain Himanshu Sabharwal and five pilgrims from Karnataka, identified as Arun Salunke, H S Nataraj, Shankar Gowda V B, Prathap Gowda, and Sudheer K. The bodies were located in the vicinity of the wreckage in Chai village, but recovery has been difficult due to the remote, high-altitude mountainous terrain.
The operation was previously halted on Friday due to darkness, difficult terrain, and the presence of wild animals. Teams from the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, Forest Department, police, and district administration have been undertaking uphill treks from the Pandukeshwar side to reach the site.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said orders have been issued to investigate the exact cause of the accident. An Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau team is expected to reach the site to probe the crash.
Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority CEO Prateek Jain stated that the remains will be brought to Chamoli district headquarters via a trek before being moved to Dehradun following post-mortem examinations.