Pakistan Army helicopter crashes in Gilgit-Baltistan, killing five crew members

A Pakistan Army helicopter crashed during a training flight in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region on Monday, killing all five crew members, the military said.

The MI-17 helicopter developed a technical fault and went down near Hudor village, about 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Thakdas Cantonment, at around 10 a.m., according to a statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The victims were identified as Pilot in Command Maj. Atif, Co-pilot Maj. Faisal, Flight Engineer Naib Subedar Maqbool, and Crew Chiefs Havildar Jahangir and Naik Amir.

The military said the helicopter was on a routine training mission when the accident occurred. “Such missions are conducted regularly to keep air crews prepared for operations ranging from combat support to humanitarian relief,” the statement added.

Pakistan’s military emphasized that it “remains committed to ensuring readiness in all facets,” despite the loss.

A senior police officer in Diamer district, where the crash took place, said the helicopter was attempting a test landing on a newly proposed helipad in a tourist area when it went down. “Among the killed were two pilots and three technicians,” officer Abdul Hameed told AFP.

The latest crash highlights ongoing risks for Pakistan’s helicopter fleet, which is often deployed not only in military operations but also in disaster relief in remote and mountainous areas.

It comes just weeks after another MI-17 helicopter operated by the government crashed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province while delivering flood aid, killing five crew members.

Pakistan has faced several deadly helicopter crashes in recent years. In 2022, five soldiers and a senior army commander were killed when their helicopter went down during flood relief operations in Balochistan province.

Gilgit-Baltistan, where Monday’s crash occurred, is a rugged northern region bordering China and Afghanistan. Its high mountains and difficult terrain make helicopters a critical mode of transport for both military and civilian purposes.

—With additional input from AFP.