A tourist Satish (27) from Gujarat died in a horrific paragliding crash at Indru Nag on Monday (14 July 2025). Chilling video shows the glider collapsing seconds after takeoff. Authorities probe negligence as Kangra bans paragliding till Sept 15.
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DHARAMSHALA — A 27-year-old tourist from Gujarat, Satish, died on Monday during a tandem paragliding flight at the Indru Nag site near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. A chilling 10-second video shows ground staff pushing Satish and pilot Suraj off a slope before the glider collapsed seconds later.
Both were rushed to Zonal Hospital, then Satish was airlifted to Tanda Medical College, where he succumbed to injuries the same evening. Pilot Suraj is under treatment.
ASP Hitesh Lakhanpal said the SHO has been directed to investigate, and tourism officials will also examine if safety protocols were followed. Authorities are also checking if the site had proper technical clearance.
This is the second fatal crash at Indru Nag in six months. In January, 19-year-old Bhaveshawar Khushi from Gujarat also died here. Following Monday’s tragedy, Kangra DC Haimraj Bairwa banned paragliding across the district, including Bir-Billing, till September 15 citing monsoon risks.
Himachal has recorded over a dozen paragliding deaths in 30 months, often blamed on untrained or reckless pilots. Suresh Thakur of the Billing Paragliding Association slammed pilots for flouting rules yet facing no action.
Satish’s body will be handed over to his family after postmortem. Authorities are mulling suspension of the operator’s license for flying from a site reportedly not cleared by forest officials. The crash occurred just two days before the seasonal ban was set to begin.
