A Mi-17 Pakistan Army helicopter has crashed near Muzaffarabad shortly after take-off, with the military confirming that all personnel on board were killed and ordering an inquiry into the cause.
A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, shortly after take-off due to what the military described as a technical fault. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed there were no survivors.
ISPR Confirms No Survivors in Pakistan Army Helicopter Crash
“All personnel on board embraced martyrdom. There were no survivors,” the ISPR stated.
Rescue and recovery teams immediately reached the crash site, and “a board of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact technical cause of the accident,” the military’s media affairs wing added.
The military did not immediately disclose how many people were aboard the helicopter. Some unverified reports have cited a figure of 21 fatalities, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Witnesses said the helicopter crashed shortly after take-off from a helipad.
The Mi-17 is a Russian-made transport helicopter that can carry a crew of three and up to 24 troops or four tonnes of cargo. The army’s aviation wing began operating the type in the late 1990s, and the United States has helped Pakistan refurbish and overhaul 22 of the aircraft.
President, Prime Minister Express Condolences
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and all ranks of the army expressed “deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” the ISPR said.
President Asif Ali Zardari said the “entire nation pays tribute to the great sacrifice of the martyrs and shares the grief of the bereaved families.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire nation salutes the soldiers for their sacrifices.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic crash.”
The Senate offered fateha for those who lost their lives, with Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman leading a special prayer.
Crash Comes Amid Heightened Security in Region
The crash occurred near Muzaffarabad during an ongoing protest and strike called by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a recently banned alliance of various groups. The military did not suggest any link between the protest and the crash.
What’s Next
The board of inquiry will seek to determine the precise technical cause of the Pakistan Army helicopter crash near Muzaffarabad. The ISPR has not yet confirmed the number of personnel on board or their identities. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 11, 2026
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