Pakistan releases Indian helicopter that crossed border

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan released an Indian army helicopter just hours after it strayed across the border between the two countries on Sunday, officials said.

The Pakistani military had forced the Indian helicopter to land and detained four Indian army officials after it intruded into its territory in Olding sector in northern Skardu region near the border in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

"The helicopter and four officers on board returned around 5.30 p.m. (1230 GMT) after a contact between the director-general military operations of the two countries," military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas said.

The Indian defence ministry said the helicopter had returned to Kargil in occupied Kashmir. "The issue has been resolved," the indian ministry spokesman, Sitanshu Kar, said.

Indian officials said the helicopter strayed into Pakistani territory because of bad weather.

Copyright Reuters, 2011