An MI-17 helicopter of Army aviation crash-landed near Hudor village approximately twelve kilometers away from Thakdas Cantonment resulting in martyrdom of all five crew members onboard.
The helicopter was on routine training flying when it developed technical fault and crashed.
The shuhada include Pilot in Command Major Atif, Co-pilot Major Faisal, Flight Engineer Maqbool and crew chiefs Jahangir and Amir.
Training missions are part of routine activities of Army Aviation to maintain operational readiness for performing tasks varying from operational support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
In a statement, ISPR said Pakistan Army remains committed to ensuring readiness in all facets.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of officers and soldiers in a crash of Army Aviation helicopter near the Thakdas Cantonment area of Gilgit-Baltistan.
In their separate messages, the President and Prime Minister prayed for high ranks of the martyred crew members.
They extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for their patience and courage.
