A tragic Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crash was reported near Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, after the aircraft went down during take-off due to a reported technical fault, according to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The ISPR confirmed that all personnel on board the helicopter embraced martyrdom, stating that there were no survivors in the incident. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site located in the vicinity of Muzaffarabad.
The statement from Inter-Services Public Relations said the helicopter belonged to Pakistan Army Aviation, which regularly conducts transport and operational missions across difficult terrain in northern regions.
Following the incident, a board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact technical cause of the crash. Officials said the investigation will examine mechanical and operational factors behind the accident.
Senior military leadership, including the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased personnel.
The crash adds to a history of similar aviation incidents involving army helicopters in Pakistan’s northern regions, where challenging weather and terrain often complicate flight operations.
Authorities said rescue and recovery operations were completed at the site, while normal military procedures for accident investigation and reporting have been initiated to ensure transparency.
