A Shocking Tragedy in the Himalayas
In a devastating incident that has shaken the nation, a helicopter carrying seven people from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district early Sunday morning, June 15, 2025. All seven individuals onboard, including the pilot, tragically lost their lives.
This marks the fifth helicopter incident on the Char Dham Yatra route within just 40 days, prompting serious concerns over flight safety and operational protocols in this high-altitude religious circuit.
🔥 Crash Details: What Happened?
| Detail | Information |
| Date of Crash | June 15, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Time | Around 5:30 AM |
| Location | Dense forest area near Gaurikund, above Kedarnath |
| Helicopter Operator | Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd. |
| Flight Route | Kedarnath ➝ Guptkashi |
| Weather Conditions | Zero visibility, dense fog |
| Casualties | 7 dead (pilot + 6 passengers including an infant) |
According to SDRF Inspector Anirudh Bhandari, the helicopter lost communication shortly after takeoff. Locals later spotted smoke, confirming the crash.
🕊️ The Victims
Among the deceased was Lt Col (Retd.) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, the 37-year-old pilot from Jaipur. A father of 4-month-old twins, Chauhan had just returned to duty 20 days ago after a family visit. His sudden death has left his family and state grieving.
| Name | Age | Residence |
| Capt. Rajveer Singh Chauhan | 37 | Jaipur (Pilot) |
| Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal | 41 | Maharashtra |
| Shradha Rajkumar Jaiswal | 35 | Maharashtra |
| Kashi (infant) | 23 mo | Maharashtra |
| Vikram | 46 | Rudraprayag |
| Vinod Dev | 66 | Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh |
| Tusti Singh | 29 | Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh |
🚨 A Pattern of Recurring Incidents
This tragic event is not an isolated case. Here’s a timeline of recent helicopter mishaps on the Char Dham route:
| Date | Incident |
| May 8 | Helicopter to Gangotri crashed; 6 dead |
| May 12 | Chopper blade hit a vehicle at Badrinath helipad |
| May 17 | Heli ambulance crash landed at Kedarnath due to tail rotor malfunction |
| June 7 | Emergency landing on road; pilot injured, 5 pilgrims rescued |
| June 15 | Aryan Aviation crash near Gaurikund; 7 dead |
🛑 Aryan Aviation Suspended, Licenses Revoked
In response to the June 15 tragedy:
- Aryan Aviation’s Char Dham operations have been suspended immediately by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- Licenses of two pilots have been revoked for 6 months.
- All helicopter services for Char Dham have been paused for 2 days pending safety reviews.
🛡️ Government Response & Safety Overhaul
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called for:
- A high-level probe into the crash.
- Formation of a command & coordination center in Dehradun for Heli operations.
- Installation of advanced weather forecasting systems in the Himalayan region.
- A strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all heli services.
“Protecting lives is our top priority. Any negligence will not be tolerated,” — CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
📉 DGCA Initiates Investigation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full investigation focusing on:
- Weather conditions
- Aircraft maintenance
- Pilot training and experience
- High-altitude operational guidelines
The frequency of Heli services has also been reduced to avoid further mishaps.
🛕 Kedarnath Traffic Surge: Too Much Pressure?
Since the Char Dham Yatra began on April 30, Kedarnath has seen an unprecedented rise in pilgrim traffic, with over 12,000 devotees attending the opening ceremony on May 2. This surge has strained Heli services, raising questions about:
- Infrastructure readiness
- Pilot fatigue
- Weather forecasting
- Operational oversight
💔 Emotional Reactions & Tributes
The tragic loss of Lt Col Rajveer Singh Chauhan has stirred widespread mourning.
“His demise marks a significant loss for the people of Rajasthan and the nation as a whole.” – CM Bhajan Lal Sharma
“The entire state stands with the Chauhan family in this hour of grief.” – Youth Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
📊 Final Thoughts: Is Char Dham Air Safety in Crisis?
With five helicopter-related accidents in less than 45 days, urgent reforms are clearly needed. Religious tourism should not come at the cost of lives. As inquiries begin and operations halt, the spotlight remains on safety, accountability, and reform.
📢 Stay Updated
For the latest updates on this developing story, keep following our news blog.
📍 Do you think heli services in high-altitude zones should be paused until safety improves? Comment below.
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