Families grieve after helicopter crash in Uttarakhand kills six
The victims include a Bengaluru police inspector, an advocate, and three others along with the pilot.
Six people died on Friday afternoon when a helicopter crashed near Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand, according to The Indian Express. The accident occurred in a remote, high-altitude mountainous area, prompting a rescue operation involving the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and the Forest Department.
Among the deceased is Bengaluru Central Crime Branch inspector Arun Salunke, 40. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh described Salunke as an outstanding officer who was returning from offering prayers during the Char Dham Yatra when the crash happened.
Other victims include pilot Captain Himanshu Sabharwal, advocate Sudheer K, H S Nataraj, Shankar Gowda V B, and Prathap Gowda. Sudheer K, a resident of Nagarabhavi, was described by colleagues as a dedicated legal professional and a humble person.
Manohar Salunke, the father of the inspector, travelled from Athani to Dehradun to receive his son's body. He told Deccan Herald that his son was a responsible person who was deeply committed to his profession.
Suresh H S, the brother of H S Nataraj, said he and Manohar Salunke reached Dehradun via Mumbai in the early hours of Saturday. They are staying in police quarters while waiting for the bodies to be handed over and expect to return to Bengaluru on Sunday.