'Home they brought warrior dead': V V B Reddy helicopter pilot from Telangana die in Arunachal chopper crash
Vuppala Vinay Bhanu Reddy did his schooling in Malkajgiri
By Coreena Suares Published on 17 March 2023 6:27 AM GMT
Lieutenant Colonel V V B Reddy with his wife Dr Spandhana Reddy.
Hyderabad: One army pilot from Telangana is among the two who died in a chopper crash in Arunachal Pradesh. They have been identified as Lieutenant Colonel V V B Reddy and Major Jayanth A. They attained martyrdom when their chopper crashed during operational flying in Arunachal Pradesh.
Hailing from Hyderabad, Vuppala Vinay Bhanu Reddy did his schooling in Malkajgiri. Later, he joined the National Defence Academy at the age of 17. After his training at Dundigal and Hakimpet in Hyderabad, the 35-year-old went on to become a helicopter pilot.
"Last month he was in Hyderabad to attend a wedding, we are in a state of shock, his old parents are unable to accept he is dead. He joined the IAF at a young age and completed close to 23 years in the Indian Air Force" said his uncle Madhu Sudha Reddy.
His wife Spandhana Reddy is a doctor at Pune Military Hospital, the spouse serves in the Indian Army as well. He is survived by two daughters aged four and six.
An Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter flying an operational sortie near Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh lost contact with the Air Traffic Control at around 9:15 AM on March 16. Five search parties of the Indian Army, SSB, and ITBP were immediately launched. However, to everyone's shock, The wreckage of the aircraft was found near Village Banglajaap, east of Mandala.
"With regret, we inform you that the pilot and the co-pilot of the helicopter lost their lives in the accident. A Court of Inquiry is being ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident" a statement from the Indian Army said.
Lt Colonel V V B Reddy along with his family.
Speaking to NewsMeter, a family member of Lt Colonel V V B Reddy said: "They were on an operational flight in the morning when their helicopter crashed. We received information around 12.30 pm on March 16. However, no information was shared with regard to V V B Reddy. Currently, the body is placed in the Assam regiment. Later the body will be flown to the Begumpet airport."
