CHILAS (September 1, 2025): A tragic incident unfolded in Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday when an Army Aviation MI-17 helicopter crashed in the Thor area of Chilas, Diamer district, killing all five personnel on board.
According to officials, the aircraft developed a technical fault during a routine training flight and went down near Hudar village. Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed that the helicopter was carrying two pilots and three technical staff members none survived.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) identified the martyrs as Pilot in Command Major Atif, Co-Pilot Major Faisal, Naib Subedar Flight Engineer Maqbool, Crew Chief Havaldar Jahangir, and Crew Chief Naik Amir.
In its statement, ISPR emphasized that training missions are an essential part of Army Aviation’s duties to ensure operational readiness for combat as well as humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and directed authorities to immediately reach the site. The district administration, Commander FCNA, DG Scouts, Commissioner Diamer, and local officials rushed to the crash location alongside residents of the area. Efforts to douse the fire and secure the wreckage were still underway by evening.
Emergency measures were also ordered at Chilas Hospital, with all doctors and medical staff placed on alert. Spokesperson Faraq noted that the same helicopter had often been used for relief operations in the region. “In every time of hardship, these men have stood like eagles in defense of the nation, repaying its debt with their blood,” he said in tribute to the martyrs.
The incident has once again highlighted the difficulties of aviation in the mountainous terrain of Gilgit-Baltistan, where unpredictable weather and technical challenges have repeatedly raised safety concerns.
