A helicopter of the Pakistan Army crashed in Gilgit Baltistan today near Chilas. Two pilots and three technicians were on board who died in the crash when the chopper crashed in Chilas.
The official spokesperson of Gilgit Baltistan confirmed this tragic incident today.
The helicopter experienced a technical fault and it crashed.
A tragic helicopter crash in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer District claimed the lives of five crew members on Monday. The aircraft, belonging to the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government but operated by the Pakistan Army, went down during a test landing in Thor, a locality near Chilas town.
Crash Confirms Five Fatalities
Confirming the incident, GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said in an official statement: “One of our helicopters has crashed in Thor, Chilas.” He revealed that the helicopter was carrying two pilots and three technical staff members, all of whom lost their lives in the crash.
Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Hameed also confirmed the fatalities. “Reportedly, five casualties occurred due to [the] crash,” he told reporters. The police chief further added that the helicopter was engaged in a test landing on a newly proposed helipad when the tragedy struck.
Rescue and Evacuation Efforts
Local police and rescue teams swiftly reached the crash site to secure the area and begin evacuation procedures. The difficult mountainous terrain, however, made recovery operations challenging. SSP Hameed said efforts were ongoing to retrieve the bodies and transport them to medical facilities for identification and post-mortem examinations.
Possible Cause of the Crash
While investigations are underway to determine the exact cause, officials have hinted at mechanical issues. The GB government spokesperson stated that the crash was linked to a “technical failure.” However, aviation and military authorities are expected to conduct a full inquiry to establish whether operational, technical, or weather-related factors contributed to the incident.
Safety Concerns and Precedents
Helicopter flights in Gilgit-Baltistan are often conducted to connect remote regions where road access is limited. However, the challenging geography and unpredictable weather conditions have historically made aviation operations in the region risky. This latest crash raises fresh concerns about air safety standards in northern Pakistan.
