A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday 10th of June, resulting in the deaths of all military personnel on board, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military said the helicopter went down shortly after take-off due to a reported technical fault. Officials confirmed that there were no survivors, although the exact number of personnel aboard the aircraft has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter encounter difficulties moments after lifting off before crashing near the regional capital. Emergency responders and military rescue teams quickly reached the scene and carried out recovery operations. A formal Board of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the precise cause of the accident.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the deceased personnel. The country’s leadership paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the crash.
The incident comes amid heightened security activity in the region, though military authorities have stated there is no indication that the crash was linked to any ongoing unrest or security situation. Initial reports point to a technical malfunction, but officials have emphasised that the final cause will only be established after the completion of the inquiry.
The crash is one of the latest military aviation tragedies in Pakistan and underscores the challenges faced by air crews operating in mountainous terrain and demanding conditions.
