A Pakistani army Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on Wednesday, killing all military personnel on board, according to ABC News.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the crash in a statement, saying the helicopter went down during takeoff due to a technical fault. “All personnel on board embraced martyrdom. There were no survivors,” the ISPR said, as the military did not immediately disclose the number of personnel on board.
Rescue and recovery teams immediately reached the crash site, and authorities ordered a board of inquiry to determine the exact technical cause of the accident. A Reuters witness said the helicopter caught fire on impact, with firefighters working to control the flames.
Senior Officials Express Condolences
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both expressed sorrow over the crash and paid tribute to those killed, conveying sympathies to the victims’ families in separate statements. Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir also extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic crash,” adding: “We salute their service, courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families during this hour of grief.”
The crash took place during an ongoing protest and strike in Muzaffarabad called by the Joint Awami Action Committee, a recently banned alliance of various groups. However, the military did not suggest any link between the protest and the crash.
Kashmir remains a highly sensitive region for Pakistan’s military and government, following years of frequent skirmishes and full-blown conflicts.
