Budgam Mi-17 crash a "big mistake" says IAF chief

The Mi-17 chopper crash on February 27, which had left six IAF personnel dead, was a "big mistake" on the part of the Air Force says, IAF chief Rakesh Kumar Bhadauria.

On Friday, while speaking to the media, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria had said, "Court of Inquiry has completed and it was our mistake as our missile had hit our own chopper. We will take action against the two officers. We accept this was our big mistake and we will ensure such mistakes are not repeated in the future."

Bhadauria also said, "Rafale and S-400 Air Defence missile system will further bolster the capability of the Indian Air Force."

The fateful Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by an Indian missile, as the Indian air defences were on high alert after the February 26 Balakot airstrike that targeted a terrorist camp in Pakistan. The helicopter had crashed near Budgam, killing all six Indian Air Force personnel who were on board.