Pakistan Army helicopter crashes after firing on civilians in PoK, all aboard killed

Islamabad: The Pakistan Army, which has been using force to suppress a popular uprising in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), has suffered a major setback. On Wednesday, a Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crashed while taking off from Muzaffarabad. The Army has attributed the accident to a technical malfunction. All Pakistani soldiers on board the helicopter lost their lives in the crash.

How many casualties did the Pakistan Army suffer?

According to a report by the Pakistani newspaper 'Dawn', the ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) provided brief details on the incident, stating, "Everyone on board the helicopter has died; there are no survivors. Relief personnel were dispatched to the site immediately after the incident, and a board of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause."

How did Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir react?

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir also expressed his condolences regarding the soldiers killed in the incident. In its statement, the ISPR said, "The Army Chief and all ranks of the Army have expressed grief over the loss of lives in this tragic incident."

It is worth noting that Pakistan has witnessed a series of air accidents in recent times. In September 2025, a Pakistan Army helicopter crashed, resulting in the deaths of three personnel, including two pilots. Additionally, in August 2025, another helicopter crashed due to bad weather, claiming the lives of three people, including two pilots. The Pakistan Army has frequently faced challenges due to such helicopter accidents in the past.