There were no passengers on board other than the two pilots and both were safe and out of danger, the source said.

The Indian army said the three injured officials — two pilots and a technician — were shifted to the Command Hospital in IOK’s Udhampur, the ANI said in a tweet.

“Due to the undulating ground, undergrowth and unprepared landing area, the helicopter apparently made a hard landing,” the ANI stated.

At about 11:15am, it added that an army aviation ALH Dhruv helicopter on an operational mission made a precautionary landing on the banks of Marua river in the Kishtwar region of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

“The pilots had reported a technical fault to the Air Traffic Controller and proceeded for a precautionary landing,” it said, “due to the undulating ground, undergrowth, and unprepared landing area, the helicopter apparently made a hard landing: Indian Army.”

Immediate rescue operations were launched and army rescue teams reached the site, it added.

“Two pilots and a technician were on board. All three injured personnel have been evacuated to Command Hospital, Udhampur. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered,” ANI said, adding that further details were being ascertained by the Indian Army.