A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad on Wednesday during take-off due to a technical fault, the military said.

All personnel on board were martyred in the crash, the statement said, adding there were no survivors.

Rescue and recovery teams reached the crash site immediately after the incident. A board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact technical cause of the accident.

The Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, along with all ranks of the Pakistan Army, expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of those killed.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and grief over the Pakistan Army’s Mi-17 helicopter accident.

PM Shehbaz paid tribute to all personnel martyred in the accident and said the entire nation salutes the sacrifices of its brave sons. He also prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for patience for their families.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan expressed sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of military personnel in the helicopter crash and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. He said the nation salutes the brave sons who were martyred.

Former Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani also expressed grief over the Pakistan Army’s MI-17 helicopter crash, paid tribute to those martyred in the accident and prayed for the elevation of their ranks.