Rawalpindi (Web Desk): An Mi-17 helicopter of Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Muzaffarabad today during take-off due to technical fault, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), all personnel on board embraced Shahadat. There were no survivors.
Rescue and recovery teams immediately reached the crash site. A board of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact technical cause of the accident.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and all Ranks Pakistan Army express deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic crash of a Mi-17 helicopter near Muzaffarabad.
In their separate messages, the president and the premier extended condolences to the bereaved families of the martyred officials and shared in their pain during this difficult time.
President Asif Ali Zardari stated that the entire nation honours the immense sacrifice made by the martyrs and stands in full solidarity with their families in their moment of grief.
PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the personnel, saying the nation is proud of its courageous sons.
He also prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for strength, patience, and courage for the grieving families to bear this irreparable loss.