Pakistan Army Mi-17 Helicopter Crashes Near Muzaffarabad, All On Board Killed

An Mi-17 helicopter of the Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday during take-off due to a technical fault , killing all personnel on board, the military said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) , the helicopter went down shortly after take-off from a helipad in the region. “There were no survivors ,” the army said, without disclosing the number of personnel on board.

The army has not specified the total casualties or identities of those killed in the crash.

The Mi-17, a Russian-made multi-role transport helicopter , is widely used by military forces for transport, logistics and operational duties, including in difficult terrain such as mountainous regions.

Rescue and recovery teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site and the area was cordoned off as emergency operations continued. Officials said debris was scattered at the site following the impact.

A board of inquiry has been ordered by the Pakistan Army to determine the exact cause of the crash. The military stated that the preliminary assessment points to a technical malfunction during take-off , though a detailed investigation is underway.

No further operational details regarding the purpose of the flight were shared by authorities.

The incident adds to a history of military aviation accidents in Pakistan , where helicopters have occasionally crashed due to technical faults or adverse conditions, prompting formal investigations each time.

Further details are awaited as authorities continue their inquiry into the incident.