IAF Helicopter Flies Low Over Nilakkal Without Prior Notice; Turns Back After 10 Seconds, IAF Later Calls It a Test Flight
Pathanamthitta: An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter flew at low altitude over the helipad at Nilakkal, the base camp for Sabarimala pilgrims, on Thursday.
The helicopter, bearing registration number ZP5151, approached the Nilakkal helipad and remained airborne for around 10 seconds. It was initially believed that the helicopter would land, but it subsequently turned back without touching down.
The helicopter reportedly arrived without prior intimation to the authorities as required under the existing protocol. Under regulations issued by the Kerala High Court in 2024, areas including Pampa, Nilakkal and Sannidhanam are designated as restricted zones, where helicopter operations require special permission.
After the incident came to light, the Indian Air Force clarified that the flight was conducted as part of disaster management preparedness.
However, the Kerala Police said they had no clear information about the purpose of the helicopter’s visit at the time. Officials suspected that it could have been part of a disaster management exercise. Police said they had not received any advance communication regarding the flight and that surveillance was conducted over areas including Jatayupara and Nilakkal.
A similar incident occurred in April, when a Coast Guard helicopter bearing registration CG 821 flew at low altitude near Sannidhanam. The helicopter reportedly flew to within about five metres of the temple’s flagstaff.
Four people were reportedly on board, and one of them was seen filming visuals of the temple. The helicopter remained near Sannidhanam for around 30 seconds before flying away.
It was the first reported instance of a helicopter flying so close to the Sabarimala temple. At the time, the Defence Ministry’s Kochi-based Public Relations Officer had explained that the helicopter was conducting surveillance flights over various locations as part of its routine operations.