The Indian Army’s grounded Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) have been cleared to resume operations following a deadly terrorist attack in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
The decision comes just three months after the army grounded its entire fleet of 330 ALHs due to a fatal crash in Gujarat in January, which claimed the lives of two pilots and a crew member.
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the helicopters will initially operate in a limited capacity to support counter-terrorism missions in Srinagar and surrounding areas.
They are expected to conduct aerial surveillance and reconnaissance and enable rapid troop deployment and close air support in high-risk zones.
Serving as the operational backbone of the Indian Army, the Dhruv is a twin-engine utility aircraft capable of operating in diverse and challenging terrain, including high-altitude regions.
It has a weaponized version called the “Rudra,” which can engage hostile targets and support ground troops in high-risk counter-terrorism missions.
Pahalgam Terror Attack
On Tuesday, terrorists launched an assault in the town of Pahalgam in contested Kashmir, killing 26 people, including two foreign tourists.
According to Indian officials, the attackers were Pakistani nationals linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist organization.
Three of the assailants have been identified, and authorities have announced a two-million-rupee ($23,500) reward for information leading to each of their arrests.
In response to the massacre, India has also downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry announced the suspension of a historic water-sharing treaty and the closure of a major border crossing.
“The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism,” Foreign Minister Vikram Misri told local reporters.
