India Lost Lt Col Rajveer Singh Chauhan in Tragic Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash

A devastating helicopter crash near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district claimed seven lives, including that of retired Lieutenant Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan, a decorated Indian Army veteran and skilled pilot. The incident occurred early Sunday morning when a Bell 407 helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, was returning from the Kedarnath shrine to Guptkashi.

The chopper took off from Kedarnath at around 5:19 AM but crashed minutes later in a dense forest between Gaurikund and Triyuginarayan. Authorities attribute the crash to poor visibility caused by heavy fog and adverse weather. The wreckage, engulfed in flames, was discovered shortly after by rescue teams. All seven individuals on board, including the pilot and six pilgrims, died on the spot.

A Hero’s Journey Cut Short

Lt Col (Retd) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, 37, was a resident of Shastri Nagar, Jaipur. A veteran of over 15 years in the Indian Army, he had extensive operational flying experience across various terrains. After retiring in 2023, he joined Aryan Aviation in October 2024. Known for his professionalism and calm demeanor, Chauhan was admired for his expertise in helicopter operations and maintenance.

Chauhan had recently become the father of twins and had returned to duty in Dehradun just 20 days earlier. According to his father, Govind Chauhan, the family was preparing for a traditional ceremony for the children on June 30. His wife, also a serving Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army, and their family are devastated by the sudden loss.

Victims of the Tragedy

The six other victims have been identified as:

• Rajkumar Jaiswal (41),
• Shraddha Jaiswal (35),
• Kashi Jaiswal (2) — a family from Pandharkawda, Maharashtra.
• Vikram Rawat (45) — from Ukhimath, Uttarakhand.
• Vinod Devi (66) and Trishti Singh (19) — from Uttar Pradesh.
• An official from the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee.

The Jaiswals’ elder son, Vivaan, survived as he stayed back with his grandfather in Maharashtra.

Official Response and Investigation

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident and ordered a high-level investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Helicopter services on the Char Dham Yatra route have been suspended for two days. CM Dhami also directed the implementation of stricter Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and mandatory technical inspections to ensure flight safety.

The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) confirmed the crash timeline and dispatched SDRF and NDRF teams to the site, which was difficult to access due to dense forest and hilly terrain.

Aryan Aviation’s operations have been suspended, and the flying licenses of its pilots have been revoked for six months, pending further investigation. Preliminary findings point to weather-induced low visibility as a major cause.

Tributes Pour In

Condolences poured in from Rajasthan and beyond. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, former CM Ashok Gehlot, and Union Minister Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore mourned the loss.

Rathore posted, “The untimely death of Jaipur’s Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Rajveer Singh Chauhan ji is extremely painful. The entire state is with the Chauhan family in this hour of grief.”

Ashok Gehlot echoed the sentiment: “The death of seven people, including Jaipur resident pilot Rajveer Singh Chauhan, in the helicopter crash near Kedarnath is extremely sad. My deepest condolences are with the bereaved families.”

A Pattern of Concern

This marks the sixth helicopter crash on the Char Dham Yatra route in just over 40 days, reigniting concerns over the safety of air operations in the region. Past incidents, such as a heli-ambulance crash near Kedarnath on May 17 and another fatal crash in Gangani, highlight recurring risks due to challenging geography and weather.

Authorities are under pressure to enforce stronger regulations and improve oversight to ensure safer pilgrimage flights in the Himalayas.