Hamirpur pilot’s kin want Centre to step up search operation
HAMIRPUR : The family and relatives of pilot VC Katoch, who is among two pilots of a helicopter which crashed off the Mumbai coast on Saturday, has urged the Centre to step up search operation for those still missing.
So far, six bodies, including one of a pilot and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) officials, have been recovered from the sea.
An uneasy calm prevailed on Monday at Katoch’s native Rangas area of Hamirpur district. Katoch, who has two daughters, is the only son of his parents.
His father Ranjit Chand Katoch is a former school principal and the family is still to be informed about the incident.
An NDA passout, Katoch did studied at Sainik School, Kapurthala (Punjab). He had opted for pre-mature retirement as a colonel from the Indian army and had joined the Pawan Hans as a pilot five years ago.
Five bodies have been identified.
THE HELICOPTER WITH FIVE ONGC EMPLOYEES AND TWO CREW MEMBERS ABOARD HAD TAKEN OFF IN THE ARABIAN SEA
The helicopter with five ONGC employees and two crew members aboard had taken off for the state-owned company’s oil installation in the Arabian Sea.
Hamirpur deputy commissioner Rakesh Prajapati said, “We will do whatever is required. We have been told that the search operation is on,” he said.