A government helicopter crashed near Chilas on Monday, killing all five people on board. Officials confirmed that the helicopter developed a technical fault and went down during an attempted emergency landing. The victims included two pilots and three technical staff members. The crash occurred as the crew was testing a newly proposed helipad in the region.
According to government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the helicopter suddenly faced mechanical problems midair, forcing the pilots to attempt a risky emergency landing. However, the aircraft could not stabilize and went down with full impact. The statement clarified that despite efforts, none of the onboard staff survived. Authorities emphasized that investigations are underway to identify the exact technical reasons behind the tragedy.
Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Hameed also confirmed the deaths, adding that the crash caused a fire that quickly spread around the helicopter wreckage. The SSP highlighted that rescue teams were dispatched immediately to control the flames and secure the crash site. Although the government cited technical failure, investigators have yet to finalize the official cause of the crash.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He instructed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the rescue workers operating under challenging conditions. The Chief Minister also directed relevant officials to ensure a detailed inquiry to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Following the crash, the FCNA Commander, DG GB Scouts, Commissioner Diamer, and several local authorities rushed to the site. A large number of local residents also gathered to help rescuers in extinguishing the fire and recovering the bodies. Rescue operations are still continuing to clear the wreckage and secure the affected area.
This tragic crash has deeply shaken Gilgit-Baltistan, raising concerns about safety standards and maintenance checks on government aircraft. The authorities have pledged a full investigation to uncover the root cause of the accident. Meanwhile, the region mourns the sudden loss of skilled pilots and technical staff who lost their lives in the line of duty