Five crew members were killed on Monday when a Pakistan Army MI-17 helicopter crash-landed near Hudor village in Chilas, Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, after developing a technical fault, the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed.
The incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m., approximately 12 kilometres from Thakdas Cantonment, while the helicopter was on a routine training flight, ISPR said. All five personnel on board were martyred. The crew included Major Atif, the pilot in command; Major Faisal, the co-pilot; flight engineer Naib Subedar Maqbool; and crew chiefs Havaldar Jahangir and Naik Amir.
Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hameed stated that the helicopter was conducting a test landing on a newly proposed helipad when it crashed. Local police and rescue teams were promptly dispatched to evacuate the injured, though all on board were confirmed dead.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed his condolences and ordered an emergency at Chilas Hospital, ensuring the immediate availability of medical staff. He paid tribute to the martyred personnel, describing their sacrifice as “a source of pride for the nation.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the loss of life, conveying condolences to the families of the deceased.
The ISPR highlighted that training missions are routine activities for Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness, including operational support, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
This crash follows similar incidents in recent months. Earlier this month, a helicopter crashed in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing five personnel while delivering relief supplies following flash floods. In 2024, another helicopter accident near the Shewa oil field in North Waziristan claimed six lives.
Initial reports suggest that poor weather and dense fog may have contributed to the Gilgit-Baltistan crash, although rainfall was not reported at the site. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the accident.