Grounded ALH Dhruv back in action briefly after Pahalgam terror attack?

In the wake of the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu Kashmir which left as many as 26 people dead, a few Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv have been allowed to operate in the areas around Srinagar.

The entire fleet of Dhruv choppers was grounded since January 5, 2025, after a fatal crash of a Coast Guard ALH Mk III at Porbandar airport in Gujarat in which three people were dead. The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard together operate around 330 ALHs.

It was reported earlier this month that the grounding of the choppers would continue for another three months as the cause of the January accident is yet to be ascertained.

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Quoting defence sources, news agency ANI reported that Indian Army ALH Dhruv helicopters have been allowed to fly in the areas around Srinagar and adjoining areas in view of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations after the terrorist attack on tourists.

A video released by the news agency showed the chopper in action.

Capable of high-altitude operations, ALH Dhruv serves as the primary utility helicopter for the tri-services and Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in a meeting attended by NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.

Singh reportedly asked the armed forces to enhance their combat readiness and increase intensity of anti-terror operations.

Defence