Wednesday June 10, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Idorenyin UMOREN
With agency reports
A Pakistani army helicopter has crashed near Pakistan-administered Kashmir, close to the city of Muzaffarabad, after developing a technical fault during takeoff, AFP reported
The military confirmed that there were no survivors in the incident.
The aircraft, a Mi-17 used by the Pakistan Army Aviation, went down shortly after it began takeoff operations.
According to a statement from the military’s media arm, the crash happened because of a technical failure, and everyone on board lost their lives.
Kashmir is considered highly sensitive by the Pakistani military and government after years of frequent skirmishes and full-blown wars with India.
“A Mi-17 helicopter of Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Muzaffarabad today during take-off due to a technical fault.
“All personnel on board embraced Shahadat (martyrdom),” the military added, without specifying the number of people killed,” the military’s media wing said in a statement.
Kashmir remains a highly sensitive area due to long-standing tension between Pakistan and India, with both countries claiming the region.
The area has seen repeated military activity and past conflicts.
In recent days, there has also been a strong security presence in Muzaffarabad following plans by a protest group to hold demonstrations after being banned under anti-terror laws.
Authorities had increased monitoring in the area before the crash.
There has been a heavy security presence in recent days in Muzaffarabad after members of a protest movement said they would hold demonstrations shortly after the local government banned the group under anti-terror laws.
Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but has been divided between them since their independence from British rule.
Officials have not released the number of people who were on board the helicopter at the time of the incident.
Investigations are expected to continue to determine the exact cause of the failure.