Seven killed as chopper crashes in Katra

JAMMU: Six pilgrims and a woman pilot were today killed when a chopper crashed in Katra, the base camp of the Vaishsnodevi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.
The chopper of a private airliner, which was carrying pilgrims from Sanjichat helipad in Trikuta hills, crashed at new bus stand area in Katra, IGP Jammu, Danish Rana told .
In the crash, seven persons including a woman flying officer were killed, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Surinder Gupta said.
According to unconfirmed reports, the chopper caught fire mid-air and the pilot averted the crash in a populated area in Katra.
Many pilgrims opt for the helicopter service to reach the cave shrine while others trek on foot.
The shrine is located at a height of 5300 feet on the Trikuta Hills. Katra town is 50 Kms away from Jammu.