The inspector who died in the helicopter crash was from Belagavi

Arun Salunke, a police inspector from Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch, who died in a helicopter crash at Joshi Math in Uttarakhand on Friday, hailed from Aratal village in Belagavi district.

Salunke lived in Bengaluru for almost two decades. He is survived by his wife and two children. His father and brothers live in Aratal.

In 2007, he cleared the Central Services Examination and served in Delhi for some time.

He later passed the constable recruitment exam and returned to Karnataka. He served in Bengaluru and Tumkur districts, his family said.

He served as Inspector of the Special Investigation Branch of the Central Crime Branch (CCB). He went on a trip to Uttarakhand with his friends last week.

Published – 30 Oct 2026 20:50 IST