At least 22 personnel were killed in a military helicopter crash in Pakistani Kashmir, security sources said on Thursday, as funeral processions were held in the territory’s capital of Muzaffarabad.
The source said those killed included 19 soldiers, one army major, and two colonels.
The number of personnel killed in the crash, which occurred on Wednesday, was not made public until the recent announcement, though it was stated that “All personnel on board” had been killed.
The Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad during take-off due to a technical fault, the military said in a statement on Wednesday.
Videos from the crash scene showed plumes of thick, black smoke rising from behind the buildings where the helicopter went down.
The helicopter crashed while taking off and caught fire, a Reuters witness said, adding that firefighters were trying to control the flames.
An inquiry has been ordered into the exact technical cause of the accident.
The crash took place at a time when strict security restrictions have been imposed on Kashmir following clashes between supporters of a recently banned alliance of civil society groups and security forces that killed at least 11 people on Sunday.
The soldiers received a ceremonial funeral with their coffins draped in Pakistani flags and carried by members of the artillery unit stationed in Kashmir.
