MUZAFFARABAD — A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 transport helicopter crashed during takeoff near Muzaffarabad on Wednesday due to an unforeseen technical malfunction. Military authorities confirmed that there were no survivors in the tragic accident, and all personnel on board embraced martyrdom.
Key Highlights
- A Pakistan Army Mi-17 aviation helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad following a technical fault during takeoff.
- Military officials confirmed that all individuals on board were martyred, with no survivors reported.
- Rescue and recovery teams successfully reached the crash scene immediately following the incident.
- A formal board of inquiry has been instituted by the military to determine the precise cause of the failure.
- Top state leadership, including the President and Prime Minister, issued high-level condolences to the grieving families.
Emergency Response and Formal Investigation
The heavy transport helicopter went down shortly after attempting to lift off, with eyewitness footage showing smoke billowing from the crash site. Emergency response units and military recovery teams reached the impact zone immediately to secure the perimeter and handle recovery operations.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released an official statement confirming the fatalities and stating that a board of inquiry has been formally ordered to investigate and ascertain the exact technical breakdown that led to the crash.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with all ranks of the armed forces, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives and extended their deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs.
The tragedy drew widespread mourning from the country’s civilian leadership. In separate state messages, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tributes to the ultimate sacrifices of the soldiers, stating that the entire nation salutes their bravery and stands in solidarity with the bereaved households.
Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti issued statements honoring the victims’ dedicated service to national defense. In Islamabad, the Senate paused its proceedings to offer special fateha prayers for the departed souls, led by Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman.
