Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crashes in PoK, all 21 onboard killed

A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday, killing all 21 personnel on board. According to military authorities, the helicopter went down shortly after take-off while operating in the Neelum Valley sector. Officials stated that there were no survivors and that all occupants died in the crash.

Initial information indicates that the helicopter developed a suspected technical fault during take-off. The aircraft was reportedly transporting additional troops when the malfunction occurred. Authorities said the crew attempted to manage the emergency situation, but the helicopter crashed before a safe landing could be completed.

Pakistan's military confirmed the fatalities in an official statement and said a board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident. The investigation will examine the technical condition of the aircraft and other relevant factors surrounding the crash. Officials have stated that preliminary assessments point to a possible mechanical failure.

Rescue and recovery teams were dispatched to the crash site immediately after the incident. Security personnel secured the area and began operations to recover the wreckage and document evidence. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those who were killed in the crash.

The accident is one of the deadliest military aviation incidents in the region in recent years. Pakistan has witnessed several military helicopter accidents in the past, including a September 2025 crash in the country's northern region that killed five military personnel. The latest crash occurred amid heightened tensions in parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where recent unrest and clashes have been reported in several areas.