A Pakistan Army helicopter ferrying relief supplies to flood-hit Bajaur district crashed in the mountains of Mohmand on Friday, killing all five personnel on board, according to officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Lost Contact Mid-Flight
The aircraft departed for Bajaur around 10:30 a.m. but stopped communicating with control shortly before noon. Hours of search operations followed, and the wreckage was eventually spotted at about 4 p.m. on a remote peak in Mohmand. The crash site, situated roughly 8,000 feet above sea level and far from populated areas, posed serious hurdles for recovery teams.
Crew Members Among the Fallen
Authorities confirmed that the victims included Group Captain (r) Aftab Iqbal, Lt Col Shahid Sultan (the pilot), Capt Saleem Iqbal, retired flight engineer Muhammad Jabbar, and retired technician Mukhtiar Ali. Their remains have been shifted to Peshawar.
Aid Flight Ends in Disaster
Officials said the helicopter was loaded with essential relief goods for flood survivors in Bajaur. Following the crash, police, district administration, and security personnel cordoned off the area while another helicopter was sent to ensure aid delivery was not interrupted.
Crisis Deepens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The accident comes as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reels from weeks of record monsoon rains and flash floods. Provincial authorities report that more than 200 people have been killed across the province, with hundreds injured and thousands displaced. Homes, farmland, and roads have been washed away, leaving entire communities cut off.
Day of Mourning Declared
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed condolences, calling the crew “martyrs who gave their lives in service to others.” The provincial government has declared a day of mourning, with the national flag to fly at half-mast on Saturday.
