Islamabad: A Pakistan Army helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after reportedly developing a technical fault shortly after take-off, according to military sources.
The helicopter, said to be on an emergency mission, lost control moments after becoming airborne and crashed in a hilly area near Muzaffarabad. The impact triggered a fire, reportedly caused by an explosion in the aircraft’s fuel tank, officials said.
Initial reports suggest that four to five military personnel, including two pilots, were on board the helicopter. All occupants are feared to have died in the crash, although authorities are yet to release an official casualty figure.
Rescue teams and military personnel rushed to the crash site, while the bodies of those killed were shifted to a military hospital in Muzaffarabad for identification and further procedures.
The Pakistan military has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary indications point to a technical malfunction, but officials said a detailed inquiry is underway.
