Five army personnel were martyred when an MI-17 helicopter crashed in the Chilas area of Diamer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, on Monday. The aircraft, carrying two pilots and three technical crew members, went down in Huder during a routine flight, reportedly due to a technical malfunction. Rescue personnel immediately reached the crash site and began relief efforts.

Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Firaqi verified the fatalities. An emergency was declared at Diamer Hospital, with medical personnel placed on high alert. The Chief Minister and Governor expressed their sorrow and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hameed stated the helicopter was attempting a test landing at a prospective helipad when the incident occurred. He added that an investigation is underway to ascertain the precise reason for the crash.

This incident follows a similar tragedy earlier this month in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a rescue helicopter crashed, claiming the lives of five individuals. In 2024, a petroleum company helicopter crashed near the Shewa oil field in North Waziristan, resulting in six fatalities and eight critical injuries.