MUZAFFARABAD – A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, killing all on board. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the incident and said that initial reports indicated that the crash was caused by a technical fault.
According to the ISPR, rescue and recovery teams immediately reached the crash site after receiving information about the helicopter crash, but all the personnel on board were martyred, and no one survived.
The army’s public relations department said in a statement that a formal board of inquiry has been formed to find out the real reasons for the crash, which will conduct a detailed review of the technical fault and other possible factors.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic accident. According to the ISPR, Field Marshal Asim Munir paid tribute to the great sacrifices of the martyrs and expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to their families.
After the news of the accident came out, the country’s political and military leadership also expressed grief. President Asif Ali Zardari said in his statement that the entire nation salutes the sacrifices of the martyrs and shares the grief of the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the personnel who were martyred in the accident and said that the nation will never forget the sacrifices of its brave soldiers. He also prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for patience for their families.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed deep sorrow over the accident and said that these brave personnel who served in the defense of the homeland are heroes of the nation and their sacrifices will always be remembered.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, in his condolence message, termed the martyrs as the pride of the nation and said that these young men who sacrificed their lives for the security and defense of the country are a source of pride for the entire nation.
Special prayers were also offered in the Senate for the personnel martyred in the accident, where Senator Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman offered Fateha.
MI-17 helicopters have been serving in the Pakistan Army Aviation for decades. These helicopters have an important place in Pakistan Army aviation due to their capability, durability and effective performance in various military and relief missions. They are capable of transporting 24 personnel or four tonnes of cargo and are used in combat, logistics and relief operations.
The recent accident has become one of the few major accidents involving military helicopters in the country. Last year, a military helicopter also crashed due to a technical fault in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, in which five personnel were martyred.
The nation is mourning the tragedy and paying tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs, while an investigation has been launched to determine the causes of the accident.
