Indian military chopper's unauthorized flight into Nepal airspace sparks diplomatic row

A serious breach of sovereign airspace has occurred in Nepal after an Indian military helicopter carrying a high-ranking security official flew deep into Nepali territory without permission on June 10. The incident, classified by security experts as a direct airspace violation, took place around 10:00 am in the remote northwestern frontier of Darchula district.

The military chopper, transporting Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, the director-general of India’s Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), bypassed standard border routes. It entered Nepali airspace in Byas Rural Municipality and flew directly over the village of Chhangru before heading towards the Kalapani region.

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But on Wednesday, the helicopter flew directly above our houses. It felt like an intrusion into our private lives. We all ran out of the house, shouting and protesting in anger.

Residents of Chhangru, who live adjacent to heavily militarized, Indian-occupied Nepali territory, expressed immediate anger. "But on Wednesday, the helicopter flew directly above our houses. It felt like an intrusion into our private lives. We all ran out of the house, shouting and protesting in anger," a local youth told Kantipur.

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We have verified that the Indian military helicopter entered Nepali airspace without the required prior permission from the government of Nepal.

The Armed Police Force (APF) stationed in Chhangru reported the breach, which was relayed through local administration channels to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Kathmandu. "We have verified that the Indian military helicopter entered Nepali airspace without the required prior permission from the government of Nepal," said Mohan Singh Dhami, the assistant chief district officer of Darchula. He added that there was no meteorological emergency or technical distress to justify the detour.

The local administration is demanding a formal explanation from Indian authorities. "We are following the official procedure to write to the office of the District Magistrate in Pithoragarh, India, seeking a clarification on why our airspace was violated without communication," Dhami stated. This incident follows a pattern of geopolitical friction in Darchula, with Nepal having previously lodged a formal diplomatic protest in 2021 after similar airspace violations by Indian military helicopters.

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We are following the official procedure to write to the office of the District Magistrate in Pithoragarh, India, seeking a clarification on why our airspace was violated without communication.