CHILAS (Kashmir English): In a tragic incident, a Pakistan Army helicopter, MI-17, crash-landed near Hudor village, around 12 kilometers from Thakdas Cantonment, during a routine training flight on Monday morning.
According to a press release issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the helicopter developed a technical fault mid-flight and went down at approximately 10:00 a.m.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), all five crew members on board embraced martyrdom in the tragic incident.
The martyrs have been identified as Major Atif (Pilot in Command), Major Faisal (Co-Pilot), Naib Subedar Maqbool (Flight Engineer), Havildar Jahangir (Crew Chief), Naik Amir (Crew Chief)
The ISPR stated that such training missions are a routine part of Army Aviation’s operational preparedness, enabling personnel to carry out a wide range of tasks, from combat support to humanitarian relief operations.
Additionally, the military’s media wing affirmed that “Pakistan Army remains committed to ensuring readiness in all facets.
Following the incident, the provincial government declared an emergency at Diamer Hospital and directed the medical staff to remain alert.
The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Governor expressed deep sorrow and regret over the deaths resulting from the helicopter crash in Diamer.
Earlier, Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraqi had said in a statement that ‘one of our helicopters has crashed in Thor, Chilas’.
He said that two pilots and three technical staff members were on board the helicopter. Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Hameed also said in a statement that ‘according to reports, 5 people have died in the helicopter crash’.
According to SSP Abdul Hameed, the helicopter was making a test landing on a proposed new helipad. He said that Diamer police and rescue teams immediately reached the accident site and started rescue operations.
Regarding the cause of the accident, the SSP said that it was too early to say anything, while a spokesperson for the GB government initially attributed the accident to a ‘technical malfunction’.
