Captain Jyoti Raj Singh, the pilot of the helicopter that crashed en route to Kedarnath, tragically lost his life just two months after becoming the father of twin daughters. Singh, 35, hailed from Agra and had previously served in the Indian Army before joining the private aviation sector. He was employed with Aryan Aviation and had over 15 years of flying experience. The incident claimed six lives, Singh and five pilgrims when the chopper crashed shortly after takeoff near Garud Chatti. His wife, also a defense personnel, is devastated. Singh had dreamt of building a new house for his family, a dream now left unfulfilled. (PC: Telegraph India & Bhaskar English)

An old iron pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River at Kundmala, near Talegaon in Pune’s Maval taluka, collapsed on Sunday afternoon amid heavy tourist footfall. Around 3:30 pm, the 30-year-old structure gave way, plunging an estimated 10–15 individuals into the swollen river . One fatality is confirmed; 5–6 people rescued, several still missing and feared swept away . NDRF, Pimpri‑Chinchwad police and local teams are engaged in ongoing rescue operations, with concerns mounting over the bridge’s structural health and urgent need for infrastructure maintenance. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s body has been identified via DNA testing, days after the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed into BJ Medical College’s hostel shortly after takeoff, killing 241 onboard and about 29 on the ground. Forensic teams matched Rupani’s DNA at 11:10 am on June 15, and handed his remains to family. Authorities have identified 32 victims through DNA so far, with 14 bodies released. The sole survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is recovering. Investigations are ongoing into the crash’s cause, and DNA-based identification continues as grief and closure efforts unfold. (PC: Our Neta)

Following the tragic crash of an Aryan Aviation helicopter near Kedarnath on June 15, 2025, the Uttarakhand government has suspended the company's Char Dham Yatra services. The Bell 407 chopper, en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, crashed amid poor visibility, killing all seven onboard, including a child and the pilot. In response, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a high-level technical committee to reassess flight safety measures. The DGCA has also issued revised safety norms, including the requirement for twin-engine helicopters, real-time weather monitoring, and enhanced pilot SOPs, aiming to prevent such incidents in the future. (PC: SDRF)

A helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed early on June 15 between Gaurikund and Sonprayag in Uttarakhand while en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi. Onboard were six pilgrims (five adults and a 23‑month‑old child) and a pilot, all of whom perished. The aircraft lost contact around 5:20 a.m. morning amid dense forest and poor weather. Rescue efforts by SDRF, NDRF, and local police are underway in extremely challenging terrain, but no survivors have been found. The tragedy raises renewed concerns over air safety during the pilgrimage season in the char‑Dham region, prompting calls for stricter protocols and comprehensive investigations.

A helicopter from Aryan Aviation, returning pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, crashed near Gaurikund’s dense forests at around 5:20 am on June 15, killing all seven onboard including five adults, a child, and the pilot from Uttarakhand, UP, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Poor visibility and morning weather are believed to have caused the crash. Rescue teams from SDRF, NDRF and local authorities have been deployed to the remote site. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief and ordered a technical safety review, suspending Char Dham helicopter services until strengthened norms are drafted. (PC: India Today & Newsdrum)

A helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation en route from Dehradun to Kedarnath crashed near Gaurikund on June 15, 2025, after losing radar contact between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund, Uttarakhand . Six individuals aboard—including the pilot and a child—are believed to have died on impact. Local police, SDRF, and emergency teams are conducting intensive search-and-rescue operations amid challenging terrain. The cause of the crash remains unknown. This tragic incident has heightened safety alarm, especially following multiple recent helicopter mishaps along the Char Dham pilgrimage route during this season.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson announced an interim compensation of ₹25 lakh for each of the deceased and the sole survivor of the June 12 Ahmedabad Boeing 787 crash—added to the ₹1 crore previously pledged by Tata Sons . Over 200 trained personnel have been stationed in Ahmedabad, offering dedicated caregivers and counselling services to affected families . The airline has recovered the flight data recorder, is cooperating with regulators, and is conducting precautionary safety checks on its Boeing 787 fleet under DGCA directives . Investigations continue into the cause of this tragic accident. (PC: PTI)

A helicopter carrying six people, including the pilot, en route from Dehradun to Kedarnath crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand on June 15, 2025. The aircraft lost contact mid-flight and was later confirmed to have crashed between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund. Local police, SDRF, and rescue teams rushed to the site, but poor visibility and rugged terrain hampered operations. The status of all six onboard remains unconfirmed. This is the fourth aviation mishap in the Char Dham route recently, intensifying concerns about flight safety during the pilgrimage season. An official probe into the incident is underway. (PC: Hindustan Times)

In a significant anti-Maoist operation in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district, four Maoists, including three women, were killed during an encounter with security forces. The joint operation, led by Hawk Force and police personnel, occurred in the Bahela police station area on Friday. The slain Maoists were affiliated with the Tanda Dalam group, and authorities recovered weapons including an AK-47 and a 315 bore rifle. Police stated the deceased carried collective rewards of ₹47 lakh. Balaghat, a Maoist-affected area bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, has seen intensified combing operations. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav praised the security forces, emphasizing his government’s commitment to eliminating extremism and ensuring the state's safety. (PC: Pragativadi & BBC)