New Delhi : The Indian Air Force (IAF) has said that one of its helicopters had created a record on Nov. 2 by landing at an altitude of 25,150 feet in a frozen desert region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Cheetal helicopter, flown by Group Captain A.S. Butola and Squadron Leader S. Sharma. made the high altitude landing at Saserkangri near Leh, an IAF spokesman said here.

A report stating that a Bell 407 helicopter had set a world record by landing at 24,971 feet on July 28 had spurred IAF and aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to try to better this feat, the spokesman said. The operation of aircraft at such high altitudes is affected by lack of oxygen in the air, and pilots have often reported sharp loss in engine power and difficulty in handling.