Army copter crashes near Muzaffarabad, all personnel embrace martyrdom: ISPR

A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad during take-off on Wednesday due to a technical fault, resulting in the martyrdom of all personnel on board, the military’s media wing said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), there were no survivors in the crash. Rescue and recovery teams were dispatched to the site immediately after the accident and reached the area to begin relief and recovery operations, it added.

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“A board of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact technical cause of the accident,” it further stated.

Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed profound grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

The ISPR said the military leadership extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and patience for them in this difficult time.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief over the Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crash near Muzaffarabad, paying tribute to the martyred personnel and extending condolences to their families.

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He said the nation stands with the bereaved families and honours the sacrifices of Pakistan’s brave soldiers.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic crash of the Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter near Muzaffarabad.

He paid tribute to all personnel who were martyred in the incident, saying the entire nation salutes the sacrifices of its brave soldiers. The PM prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for patience and strength for their bereaved families.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed deep sorrow and grief over the Pakistan Army helicopter crash near Muzaffarabad, the interior ministry posted on X.

Naqvi extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of all personnel martyred in the helicopter crash, said, “Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the martyrs”.