A Pakistan Army helicopter delivering relief goods to flood-hit areas in Bajaur crashed in the rugged mountains of Mohmand district on Friday, killing all five personnel on board, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s initial report.
Flight lost contact before tragic discovery
Government officials said the helicopter took off at 10:30am for Bajaur but lost contact around noon. Search efforts were launched immediately, and the aircraft was finally located at 4pm in Mohmand.
Also Read: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rescue helicopter crashes in Bajaur, killing 5
The crash site lies on a remote hill at an altitude of about 8,000 meters, far from any settlements, making rescue and recovery efforts challenging.
Victims included senior officers
The martyred crew included Group Captain (r) Aftab Iqbal, Lieutenant Colonel Shahid Sultan (pilot), Captain Saleem Iqbal, retired flight engineer Muhammad Jabbar (crew chief), and retired technician Mukhtiar Ali. Authorities confirmed that the bodies of the five martyrs were transferred to Peshawar.
Relief mission turns tragic
Officials said the helicopter was carrying essential relief supplies for flood-affected communities in Bajaur. Police, district administration, and other agencies reached the site to secure the area and assist with the recovery operation, while another relief helicopter was dispatched to continue aid delivery.
Earlier on Friday, it was reported that a rescue helicopter of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government crashed in Bajaur during the ongoing relief operations in areas battered by record-breaking monsoon weather.
Also Read: Rains, floods and cloudburst kill at least 256 in KP, GB, AJK
Officials said the crash occurred as the province struggles with unprecedented flooding, cloudbursts, and relentless rains that have wreaked havoc on communities.
According to provincial authorities, over 200 people had lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past several days, while hundreds more have been injured and thousands displaced. The disaster has destroyed homes, infrastructure, and farmland, leaving vast areas inundated.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed the fatalities, saying the crew sacrificed their lives while trying to save others. The provincial government announced a day of mourning, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast across the province tomorrow.
