Shimla, Oct 25 (IANS) Two Russian paragliders sustained injuries after they crash-landed in the high mountains of Himachal Pradesh, an official said Sunday.
“Two Russian paragliders were injured Saturday evening in a paragliding accident in Kangra district,” Subdivisional Magistrate (Baijnath) K.K. Saroch told IANS.

He said the paragliders - Mikhil and Dennis Kulikov - took off from Billing for Bir, lost their way due to strong winds and had to crash-land.

“Both sustained pelvic and leg injuries and were admitted to a private hospital. Their embassy in Delhi has been informed about the accident,” he said.

Earlier, paraglider Dimitri was injured in a similar accident in the area Oct 18.

Bir-Billing, about 300 km from Shimla, is considered one of the finest aero sports sites in the world.

The Himachal Pradesh Tourism and Civil Aviation Department (HPTCAD), the organiser of the annual pre-world cup paragliding championship at Bir-Billing, has decided not to hold the meet this year as it’s refurbishing the site.

A local association, Billing Paragliding Association, has decided to hold the meet on its own.

A large number of dare-devils, especially from Russia, Britain and the US, have converged on the site for practising paragliding.

The HPTCAD has already said the local association is not following proper safety measures and is not registered with it.

An official spokesman for the HPTCAD said the Aero Club of India, the regulating body of paragliding sports, has also not allowed the association to hold the event.

“Holding of paragliding events at Bir-Billing is illegal. We will take action against the organisers of the event,” the spokesman said.