Military helicopter crash in Pakistani Kashmir kills 22 personnel

Thursday 11 June 2026 - 12:30

At least 22 members of Pakistan’s security forces were killed after a military helicopter crashed in the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir, according to security sources. The incident prompted funeral ceremonies in the regional capital, Muzaffarabad, where authorities paid tribute to the victims.

The aircraft, identified as an Mi-17 helicopter operated by Pakistan Army Aviation, went down on Wednesday under circumstances that are still under investigation. Officials stated that the crash was caused by a technical fault, though a formal inquiry has been launched to determine the precise cause of the accident.

Those killed reportedly included 19 soldiers, one army major, and two colonels. Their funerals were held with full military honours, with coffins draped in national flags and carried by fellow service members stationed in the region.

Eyewitness videos from the crash site showed thick black smoke rising from the area where the helicopter went down, near residential buildings. The scene was quickly secured by security forces as emergency response teams assessed the aftermath.

The crash occurred during a period of heightened security tension in the region, following recent clashes between security forces and supporters of a banned civil society alliance, which had already resulted in multiple casualties earlier in the week.

Authorities have not indicated any link between the crash and the ongoing unrest, focusing instead on mechanical failure as the preliminary explanation. The investigation is expected to examine maintenance records, operational conditions, and possible technical malfunctions.

The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by military aviation units operating in mountainous and high-security environments such as Kashmir, where difficult terrain and operational pressure can complicate flight safety.