A Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government helicopter crashed on Friday, killing all three people on board and dealing a heavy blow to ongoing rescue operations in flood-hit Bajaur district. The tragedy occurred as the aircraft was on its way to provide critical aid to some of the worst-affected areas in the province.
According to rescue officials, the helicopter was flying to the Jabrai area of Salarzai tehsil, which has been severely impacted by last night’s flash floods. The flooding destroyed numerous homes, swept away key bridges, and severed road links, leaving several communities cut off from essential supplies and assistance. The helicopter was carrying relief goods and personnel to assist those stranded by the disaster when it went down.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah confirmed that the ill-fated chopper was engaged in a relief mission. He stated that the aircraft was specifically dispatched to support rescue teams in their operations and to deliver aid to inaccessible locations. The loss of the helicopter, he added, will likely hamper ongoing relief work in Bajaur, as aerial transport has been a lifeline for reaching flood victims in remote areas where road access is impossible.
The provincial government currently has only two helicopters in operation — one stationed in Bajaur and the other in Buner. With the Bajaur helicopter now destroyed, the ability to airlift supplies and personnel quickly has been significantly reduced. This setback comes at a time when speed and coordination are critical to saving lives and delivering aid in the wake of the catastrophic flooding.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar expressed deep concern over the tragedy, while stressing that the top priority remains rescuing and assisting flood victims. He called on residents to remain vigilant and urged all elected representatives, provincial ministers, and local officials to stay in the affected areas until relief efforts are fully completed.
The crash is yet another blow to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is experiencing its worst flooding in years. The disaster has already claimed more than 110 lives across four districts, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced thousands of people. With vast areas still submerged and access routes blocked, the loss of the helicopter could further delay the delivery of much-needed aid to those most in need.
