Five Pakistan Army personnel were martyred when an MI-17 helicopter crashed near Hudor village, approximately 12 kilometers from Thakdas Cantonment, during a routine training exercise Monday morning.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported the aircraft experienced a mechanical malfunction around 10:00 a.m. The helicopter went down during a training flight.

The deceased soldiers were identified as Major Atif (Pilot in Command), Major Faisal (Co-pilot), Naib Subedar Maqbool (Flight Engineer), Havaldar Jahangir (Crew Chief), and Naik Amir (Crew Chief).

The ISPR explained that training flights are a regular activity for Army Aviation to maintain operational preparedness for various duties, including combat support, humanitarian aid, and disaster response. The Pakistan Army reiterated its dedication to ensuring readiness in all operational areas.