MUZAFFARABAD — A Pakistan Army Mi-17 transport helicopter crashed in a remote, mountainous region near Muzaffarabad, killing all military personnel on board.

The aircraft was conducting a routine operational flight through the rugged terrain when air traffic control lost contact with the crew, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.

According to military officials, the Russian-made heavy-lift helicopter encountered severe conditions before going down in a deeply forested ravine approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Muzaffarabad. Residents in a nearby village reported hearing an unusual engine sputtering, followed by a loud explosion that echoed across the valley.

Ground rescue teams, aided by local volunteers, faced immense challenges reaching the crash site due to the steep, roadless terrain and dense fog.

"The crash site was located in a highly inaccessible ridge. By the time our rescue teams negotiated the terrain and reached the burning wreckage, it was clear there were no survivors," a regional rescue coordinator stated.

Military authorities confirmed that all individuals on board—including the pilots, engineering crew, and passengers—perished in the impact. Their bodies have been recovered from the site and transported to a nearby military hospital for identification and final honors.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, issued a statement expressing deep condolences to the families of the victims and confirming that a high-level board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.

While the definitive cause remains under investigation, preliminary assessments are focusing on a combination of sudden technical malfunction and treacherous weather. The Mi-17 fleet, which serves as the workhorse for the military's logistics, high-altitude supply runs, and disaster relief operations, has faced scrutiny over maintenance and operational fatigue in demanding environments.

Aviation safety experts noted that the microclimates around the mountains near Muzaffarabad can change rapidly, presenting severe wind shears and visibility drops that test even the most experienced flight crews.

The Pakistan Army’s Mi-17 fleet has historically borne the brunt of demanding missions across the country's northern landscapes, making this latest loss a heavy blow to the aviation division. Security cordons remain active around the crash site as military investigators recover the flight data recorders and piece together the final moments of the flight. Full state honors are being prepared for the fallen personnel as the nation mourns the tragic loss.