Army Mi-17 helicopter crashes near Muzaffarabad; all on board martyred

All personnel aboard a Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter were martyred after the aircraft crashed near Muzaffarabad during take-off, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the helicopter went down due to a technical fault, and there were no survivors among those on board.

Rescue and recovery teams were dispatched to the crash site immediately after the incident. The military said a board of inquiry had been constituted to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Syed Asim Munir, along with all ranks of the Pakistan Army, expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow over the crash of Mi-17 helicopter near Muzaffarabad.

The nation pays tribute to the great sacrifice of the martyrs and shares the grief of the families, the president said.

“The entire nation salutes sacrifices of the brave sons of soil,” PM Shehbaz said, paying tribute to all the martyrs. He also prayed for elevation of ranks of the martyrs and patience for the bereaved families.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi too expressed sorrow over the incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of all personnel who embraced martyrdom in the helicopter crash tragedy.