In a poignant and sobering incident, a Pakistan Army MI-17 helicopter carrying five crew members crashed in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, claiming the lives of all on board. Among the deceased were two army pilots, marking a profound loss for the military community.
Details of the Incident
According to an official statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the helicopter was conducting a routine training flight and attempted a test landing on a newly proposed helipad near Hudor village—approximately 12 kilometers from Thakdas Cantonment. During the maneuver, the aircraft developed a technical fault and crash-landed, catching fire upon impact.
The fallen crew members have been identified as:
- Major Atif (Pilot in Command)
- Major Faisal (Co-pilot)
- Naib Subedar Maqbool (Flight Engineer)
- Havaldar Jahangir (Crew Chief)
- Naik Amir
A government spokesperson confirmed the loss and emphasized the rapid response of police and rescue teams in reaching the crash site. An emergency has been declared at Chilas Hospital to manage the crisis, and medical staff have been mobilized to provide immediate support.
Reactions and Aftermath
Gilgit-Baltistan’s leadership offered heartfelt condolences, with the Chief Minister describing the martyrs’ sacrifice as a source of national pride. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow and prayers, requesting that the fallen be honoured in the highest regard.
Military authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining operational readiness and highlighted that such training missions are vital for preparedness in humanitarian relief and disaster response scenarios.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the precise cause of the technical fault that led to this tragic crash.
