India, May 23 -- Three army officers had a narrow escape after their Cheetah helicopter crashed in the mountainous Tangste region near Leh, officials familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The incident occurred on Wednesday but was reported on Friday.

A lieutenant colonel and a major were piloting the single-engine chopper and their passenger was Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of 3 Infantry Division, HT has learnt.

Officials said all three occupants walked away with minor injuries, calling the incident no less than a miracle and adding that a probe into what caused the crash was underway.

Officials, meanwhile, said the Indian Army will begin to phase out its ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters in a...