Pilot killed in Uttarakhand chopper crash served in Army for over 15 years

Rajveer Singh Chauhan, the pilot of the helicopter that crashed in Uttarakhand early on Sunday killing all seven on board, had served in the Indian Army for over 15 years and had vast experience of flying missions over different terrains.

Chauhan (37), a resident of Jaipur's Shastri Nagar, was working as a pilot with Aryan Aviation Private Ltd since October 2024.

He was the captain of the Bell 407 helicopter that crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand on Sunday morning. Besides him, six people were killed in the accident.

"I heard about the crash from his colleague," said Chauhan's father Govind Singh, who added that his daughter-in-law, Rajveer's wife, is a lieutenant-colonel in the Indian Army and they became parents four months ago. "His wife gave birth to twins four months ago," he said.

Having worked in the Indian Army, Chauhan had vast experience of flying missions over different terrains and overseeing aerial operations, and had been trained in different types of helicopters and their maintenance, according to his LinkedIn profile.

As soon as news about his death broke, Chauhan's relatives and friends began reaching his residence in Shastri Nagar to console the family.

Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and other leaders expressed sorrow over the demise of seven people.

"The news of the loss of life of a pilot from Rajasthan and other devotees due to a helicopter crash in Kedarnath is extremely sad. May Baba Kedar grant a place at his lotus feet to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this blow," Sharma said.

Gehlot said 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 in this difficult time," he said in a social media post.