LEH, May 23 -- Three Army officers, including Major General Sachin Mehta, escaped with minor injuries after a Cheetah helicopter crashed in the mountainous Tangste region near Leh, officials familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The incident took place on Wednesday but came to light on Friday. The single-engine helicopter was being piloted by a lieutenant colonel and a major, while Major General Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3 Infantry Division, was travelling as a passenger.

Officials described the survival of all three occupants as "nothing short of a miracle", stating that they walked away with minor injuries despite the crash in the high-altitude terrain.

A probe has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the accide...