A Pakistan Army MI-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday, killing all military personnel on board, according to the country’s military. The number of personnel aboard has not yet been disclosed.
Pakistan’s military said the helicopter developed a technical fault shortly after take-off and crashed near the regional capital. A board of inquiry has been appointed to determine the exact cause of the accident.
The crash occurred during an ongoing protest and strike organized by the Joint Awami Action Committee, a recently banned alliance of various groups. However, authorities have not indicated any link between the protest and the helicopter crash.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir expressed condolences following the incident. (Newswire)