BS Dhanoa did not specify the reasons for the Budgam crash as the Court of Inquiry was still on

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa has said that lessons need to be learnt to ensure mistakes are not repeated to avoid incidents like the Mi-17 chopper crash in Budgam. There is a possibility that the crash may have been a result of friendly fire, or what in military parlance is called 'blue on blue'.

The crash took place on February 27 killing six personnel on-board in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The crash took place around the same time a group of Pakistani fighter jets attempted intruding into Indian airspace in retaliation to the Indian Air Force's aerial strike targeting a terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan a day before.

"We need to learn lessons, what happened, how did it happen and if mistakes were made need to make sure it doesn't happen again. The Court of Inquiry into the incident is still not complete," the Indian Air Force Chief Dhanoa told India Today TV.

He said the air force has nothing to hide and like in all such cases transparency will be maintained.

"We are open about it. If the dependants [of those killed in the chopper crash] ask, they will also be provided with a copy of the findings [of the probe into the crash]," he added.

Sources said according to the initial inquiry, certain lapses have come to light but future course of action will only take place after the court of inquiry is complete.

It is believed that the helicopter was brought down by Indian air defence missiles accidentally. A Court of Inquiry to ascertain the exact reason of the crash is ongoing.

Dhanoa did not specify the reasons for the crash as the Court of Inquiry was still on but was candid to say that lessons need to be learnt to make sure mistakes are not repeated.

Earlier, the senior most officer of the Srinagar Air Force base was posted out but it was not clarified if the transfer of the officer was linked to the crash of Mi-17 helicopter allegedly due to a friendly fire.

The air force says the court of inquiry is still on and its not possible to give a clear sequence of events leading to the crash as of now. There are also reports that a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder is being contemplated against those who accidentally brought down the helicopter assuming it to be Pakistan's intrusion.

Although culpable homicide is a civil offence, under the military law, it can be used if a military official kills a colleague making it a case fit for court martial.

The military, though, is divided on the issue with many saying a case of culpable homicide that attracts a punishment of life imprisonment would be too harsh this was an accident with no intention to kill their own men.