A Pakistan Army MI-17 helicopter crashed in the Chilas area of Diamer district on Monday, resulting in the martyrdom of five crew members, including two majors.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the helicopter was on a routine training mission when it crashed near Hudor village at approximately 10am.

The helicopter crashed around 12 kilometres from Thakdas Cantonment during an attempted emergency landing.

The ISPR confirmed that all five crew members, including the pilot and co-pilot, were martyred in the accident.

The martyrs include Major Atif (Pilot in Command), Major Faisal (Co-pilot), Naib Subedar Subhan Maqbool (Flight Engineer), Havaldar Jahangir (Crew Chief), and Naik Amir (Crew Chief).

The military’s media wing stated that the crash was caused by a technical fault.

It added that training missions are part of the routine activities of Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness for performing tasks varying from operational support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

GB government confirms crash

Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed the crash, stating that the helicopter went down due to a technical malfunction.

He said the helicopter was carrying two pilots and three technical crew members.

Following the crash, senior officials, including the Commander FCNA and the Director General of Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, reached the crash site. The Diamer commissioner also arrived at the spot.

Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan governor and chief minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident.

PM expresses grief

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the military helicopter crash in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He extended condolences and offered sympathies to the bereaved families of the deceased.