A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad on Wednesday during take-off after suffering a reported technical fault, resulting in the deaths of all personnel on board.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media affairs wing, the aircraft encountered a technical malfunction immediately as it attempted to take off. The military confirmed that there were no survivors, stating that all personnel on board embraced martyrdom.
Rescue and recovery teams were dispatched to the scene and reached the crash site shortly after the accident occurred to secure the area and conduct recovery operations.
The military high command has initiated an official investigation into the incident. ISPR has stated that a board of inquiry has been formally ordered to ascertain the exact technical cause behind the helicopter’s failure during take-off.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with all ranks of the army, expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.
