Two Pilot Majors among five martyred in Army copter crash in GB

Two Pilot Major were among five crewmembers who were martyred when a helicopter of Army Aviation crashes in Gilgit Baltistan’s Chilas town due to technical fault on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “On 1 Sep 25, at around 1000 hours, an MI-17 helicopter crash-landed near Hudor village, approximately 12 kilometres away from Thakdas Cantonment. The helicopter was on routine training flying when it developed a technical fault and crashed.”

The ISPR statement added that all crewmembers on board were martyred as a result of the crash.

The crewmembers were identified as Major Atif, who was the pilot in command, Major Faisal, the co-pilot, flight engineer Naib Subedar Maqbool, and crew chiefs Havaldar Jahangir and Naik Amir.

Earlier, Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Hameed, in a statement, had confirmed the incident, saying that the helicopter was conducting a test landing on a newly-proposed helipad when it crashed.

He said that the Diamer police and rescue teams had reached the incident site to start the evacuation.

Separately, GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, in a statement, said he had issued directions to impose an emergency at Chilas Hospital and ordered the immediate availability of medical staff. He also expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the martyred personnel. “The sacrifice of the martyrs of the helicopter crash is a source of pride for the nation,” he said.

The Pakistan Army expressed deep grief over the loss of its brave soldiers, with tributes pouring in for the martyrs who lost their lives in service to the country. The ISPR said investigations have been initiated to determine the cause of the crash.

Reporter Ahmad Mansoor