A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday during take-off after developing a technical fault, killing all 21 personnel on board. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, confirmed that there were no survivors.
In its official statement, the ISPR said: “An Mi-17 helicopter of Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Muzaffarabad during take-off due to a technical fault. All personnel on board embraced martyrdom. There were no survivors.”
The helicopter was reportedly transporting additional troops in the Neelum Valley sector when the incident occurred. Rescue and recovery teams were immediately dispatched to the site, which was subsequently secured. Efforts to recover the wreckage are underway.
Pakistan’s military has ordered a formal board of inquiry to determine the precise cause of the crash. Preliminary findings point to a technical malfunction.
Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with the Chief of Defence Forces and all ranks of the Pakistan Army, expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
The Mi-17 is a Russian-origin medium transport helicopter that forms a key part of the Pakistan Army Aviation fleet. It is extensively used for troop transport, logistics support, and operations in the country’s mountainous and high-altitude regions, including PoK.
The incident comes at a time of reported unrest in parts of PoK, including violent clashes in Rawalakot over the preceding weekend. However, Pakistani military authorities have attributed the crash solely to a technical fault and have not indicated any hostile action.
Early reports from multiple international and regional news outlets, including The Tribune, Deccan Herald, and others, corroborated the ISPR’s account of the crash and the absence of survivors. Some initial unconfirmed reports mentioned the helicopter conducting surveillance or routine operational flying before the technical issue arose.
The Pakistan Army has a history of Mi-17 operations in challenging terrain, and such incidents, while tragic, underscore the risks associated with military aviation in mountainous regions.
Further details regarding the identities of the personnel and the findings of the board of inquiry are awaited.
