Two Pakistan Army pilots were among five crew members killed when an MI-17 helicopter crash-landed near Hudor village, approximately 12 kilometers from Thakdas Cantonment in Gilgit Baltistan, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday.
The incident in Gilgit Baltistan occurred during a routine training flight, highlighting the challenges faced by Army Aviation in this mountainous region.
The military’s media wing reported that the helicopter was conducting a routine training flight when it experienced a technical fault. On September 1, 2025, at around 10:00 hours, the MI-17 helicopter crash-landed near Hudor village. The helicopter developed a technical fault during routine training flying and subsequently crashed.
The deceased crew members were identified as Major Atif, the pilot in command, Major Faisal, the co-pilot, flight engineer Naib Subedar Maqbool, and crew chiefs Havaldar Jahangir and Naik Amir. Training missions are part of routine activities of Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness for performing tasks ranging from operational support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The Pakistan Army remains committed to ensuring readiness in all facets.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow and grief over the loss of life, conveying his condolences to the martyrs’ families in a statement. The incident occurred just days after a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government helicopter crashed on August 15 during the Bajaur relief operation, killing five people. The deceased in that incident included five personnel, including two pilots, while returning from flood-affected districts. Initial reports indicate that accident was caused by poor weather and dense fog, although no rainfall was occurring at the crash site.
