GILGIT: At least five crew including two senior pilots were martyred in a Pakistan Army MI-17 helicopter crash in Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday morning, the military confirmed.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the helicopter was on a routine training mission when it developed a technical fault and went down near Hudor village, about 12 kilometers from Thakdas Cantonment in Diamer district.
As per the military those martyred in the accident were identified as Major Atif (pilot in command), Major Faisal (co-pilot), Crew Chiefs Havaldar Jahangir, Flight Engineer Naib Subedar Maqbool, and Naik Amir.
According to ISPR noted that training flights are conducted regularly to ensure operational preparedness for combat as well as humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while reacting to the tragedy, expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the martyrs. He said the nation takes pride in the dedication and sacrifice of its soldiers.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan directed health authorities to impose an emergency at Chilas Hospital and ensure the immediate availability of medical staff. He paid tribute to the personnel, saying their sacrifice would be remembered with honor.
Local police also confirmed the crash, with Diamer SSP Abdul Hameed stating that the helicopter was attempting a test landing at a newly proposed helipad when it met with the accident. Rescue teams and police units were dispatched promptly to assist with evacuation.
The Gilgit crash comes just weeks after a Bajaur helicopter crash on August 15 during flood relief operations, which killed five people, including two pilots. In 2024, another deadly helicopter crash in North Waziristan’s Shewa oil field left six dead and eight injured.
The latest tragedy has once again drawn attention to the challenges faced by Pakistan Army Aviation in carrying out routine and relief missions in difficult terrain across the country.
