00:05A routine military flight, a sudden technical failure, and a devastating tragedy in the
00:11mountains of Kashmir. A Pakistan Army transport helicopter has crashed shortly after takeoff
00:18in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing all 21 people on board. The deadly accident is
00:25being described as one of the worst military helicopter disasters in the region in recent
00:31years. And tonight, Pakistan's armed forces are mourning the loss of pilots, crew members,
00:38and soldiers who never made it home. According to Pakistan's military media wing,
00:44Inter-Services Public Relations, or ISPR, the crash occurred on June 10th in the Neelam
00:51Valley sector of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, near Muzaffarabad. The aircraft involved was a Mi-17
00:59transport helicopter, a workhorse platform widely used for troop transport, logistics,
01:05and high-altitude operations. Officials say the helicopter was conducting a routine operational
01:11mission when disaster struck. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft reportedly developed a serious
01:18technical malfunction. Pilots attempted to manage the emergency. But within minutes, the helicopter
01:24crashed in the rugged, mountainous terrain and was engulfed in flames. The impact and resulting fire
01:32completely destroyed the aircraft. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors. All 21 personnel
01:40on board were killed. The victims included pilots, crew members, and army soldiers assigned to the mission.
01:48Pakistan's military has ruled out hostile action. Officials stressed there is currently no evidence
01:54the helicopter was shot down or targeted. Instead, initial findings point toward a technical fault as the
02:02likely cause. A formal investigation has now been launched. A high-level board of inquiry will examine
02:09maintenance records, flight data, weather conditions, and operational factors to determine exactly what went
02:16wrong. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief across Pakistan. Prime Minister Shabazz Sharif expressed
02:24deep sorrow over the loss of life and offered condolences to the families of the victims.
02:30Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also paid tribute to those killed, describing them as
02:37dedicated servicemen who died in the line of duty. Military helicopters operating in Neelam Valley often
02:44conduct missions in high-altitude environments where safety margins can be limited. Investigators are
02:50working to uncover the cause. Families are mourning loved ones. And Pakistan's military is confronting one of
02:57its deadliest aviation accidents in recent memory. A mission that began as a routine flight ended in
03:06catastrophe among the mountains of Kashmir.
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