Concern over Indian pilot's 'airdrop'

India Air Force pilots are subject to strict flight conditions

A military helicopter is reported to have flown at roof-top level over a residential area in India so the pilot could drop a birthday present to his girlfriend.

Hundreds of people are reported to have witnessed the low flight, which initially caused panic in the Rajasthan town of Jaisalmer.

Just as we were beginning to panic, we saw the young pilot drop a big box gift-wrapped in yellow on the roof of the hotel

Shaitan Singh, hotel guest

As the helicopter hovered overhead, witnesses reported seeing a large package in yellow gift-wrapping descend to the roof of a hotel.

The helicopter is reported to have taken off from Jaisalmer airbase after filling up with fuel after it came from Jodhpur.

The pilot is said to have used a French-built Alouette chopper to shower his girlfriend with the gift.

French news agency AFP quotes a senior defence ministry source as saying: "The chap took off from Jaisalmer and dropped height over a house or a hotel to send down something, probably a gift to impress his girlfriend.

"We will be talking to him about his love pangs."

Jaisalmer is a strategic town in India less than 100 kilometres from the militarily sensitive border with Pakistan.

Jaisalmer is a strategic town for India

The agency quotes Shaitan Singh, who was staying at the Nachna Hotel in Jaisalmer.

He said guests were taken by surprise when they saw the noisy Alouette lose height and clatter to its drop zone.

"The air force helicopter hovered over the hotel and swooped down giving us quite a fright," he said.

"Just as we were beginning to panic we saw the young pilot drop a big box gift-wrapped in yellow on the roof of the hotel.

"The hotel staff discovered it was a birthday present for the pilot's lady-love staying at the Nachna Hotel."