GILGIT: Two pilots of army helicopter MI-17 helicopters embraced martyrdom on Friday as it fell after hitting school building during landing in Nilter Valley in Gilgit, two ambassadors and wives of two other ambassadors were also killed in the crash, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said .
The foreigners who were killed include ambassadors of Norway envoy Leif H Larsen, Philippines ambassador Domingo D Lucenario Jr, wives of Indonesian and Malaysian ambassadors in Pakistan.
The two pilots as Major Altamash and Major Faisal. Injuries were also reported from the incident in which Dutch Ambassador Marcel de Vink and Polish ambassador Andrzej Ananicz were injured.
The helicopter was stated to be of Prime Minister’s protocol.
DG ISPR said the helicopter crashed due to a technical fault and ruled out the possibility of any terrorist or subversive activity.
He, however, said that as per procedure, a board of inquiry has been constituted to investigate the cause of the crash.
Prime Minister scheduled visit to Nilter has been cancelled after deadly crash.It is pertinent to mention here that the premier Nawaz Sharif had to visit Gilgit to inaugurate chair lift in the area.
DG ISPR Asim Bajwa briefed later that one of the three MI-17 helicopters carrying 11 foreigners and six Pakistanis made a crash landing in Naltar valley.
He said initial reports suggest that all passengers and crew survived while three passengers received injuries.
Rescue operation was underway in the area as the injured were shifted to hospital.
