ISLAMABAD: Five crew members were killed on Monday when an Army Aviation MI-17 helicopter crashed during a routine training flight in Pakistan’s mountainous Gilgit Baltistan region, officials said.
“The helicopter was on routine training flying when it developed technical fault and crashed. As a result, all crew members on board embraced shahadat.” Pakistan military media wing ISPR said in a statement.
The incident took place near Hudor village, about 12 kilometres from Thakdas Cantonment, it said.
The personnel were identified as Major Atif (Pilot in Command), Major Faisal (Co-pilot), Naib Subedar Maqbool (Flight Engineer), Havaldar Jahangir (Crew Chief), and Naik Amir (Crew Chief).
The Army said training missions are part of routine activities of Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness for performing tasks varying from operational support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Pakistan Army remains committed to ensuring readiness in all facets, the statement added.
