On Friday, August 15, 2025, the provincial chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said a helicopter crashed in northwestern Pakistan during a relief mission, killing all five crew members, including the two pilots.
The provincial chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, said in a statement that “An MI-17 helicopter of the provincial government, carrying relief goods for rain-affected areas of Bajaur, crashed in the Pandiyali area of Mohmand district due to bad weather.” “Five crew members, including two pilots, were killed.”
According to reports, the helicopter took off from Peshawar bound for Bajaur but went off the radar over the Mohmand tribal district.
Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the crash; however, the chief secretary of the province, Shahab Ali Shah, said poor weather conditions led to the crash.
The helicopter crashed in Changi Banda, killing the two pilots and three crew members. Rescue crews have been dispatched to the scene, and the victims will be laid to rest with full state honors.
Gandapur announced a day of mourning across the province on Saturday. He said, “We share the grief of the bereaved families.” “The helicopter crew sacrificed their lives to save others—they are our true heroes, and their sacrifice will be remembered in golden words in history.”
The crash comes after torrential rain caused flash floods and landslides. The flood has killed over 100 people, and many others were injured or missing, mainly in the Bajaur and Buner districts.
