Pakistani army helicopter crashes in Kashmir; all on board killed

An MI-17 helicopter belonging to the Pakistani army crashed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of all military personnel aboard. The army confirmed the incident but did not disclose the exact number of individuals on the aircraft.

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The rescue and recovery teams immediately reached the accident site.

The helicopter went down near Muzaffarabad, the regional capital, amidst ongoing protests and a strike organized by the Awami Action Committee, an alliance of several groups that was recently outlawed. The army has stated that the crash was due to a technical failure and has not suggested any connection to the ongoing civil unrest.

Witnesses reported that the aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from a helipad. Emergency services arrived at the scene promptly, transporting the victims to a nearby hospital. The army announced that an investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the crash.

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The thing is clear, no contract was concluded here.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their sorrow over the event, paying tribute to the fallen military personnel and extending condolences to their families. The Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, also conveyed his deep regret.

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After the personal conversation with Mr. Spahn, it was clear to me, this is a contract – very clear.

This incident is not an isolated event in Pakistan, where such accidents have occurred previously. In September 2025, a similar crash involving an army helicopter in the country's north claimed the lives of two pilots and three technicians. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters gathered in Rawalakot, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, following the deaths of at least seven people in a protest on Monday, amid a crackdown in the region.

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This makes no sense and shows that this is a pretext, which we were never informed about.