Pakistan paid solemn tribute on Thursday to the security personnel killed in a devastating helicopter crash in Pakistan‑administered Kashmir, with soldiers and civilians gathering in Muzaffarabad for funeral prayers over the flag‑draped coffins.
Dozens of troops in uniform stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with local residents as around 20 coffins, wrapped in Pakistan’s national flag, were laid out for the ceremony. The military said the helicopter went down on Wednesday near Muzaffarabad due to a technical fault, leaving no survivors. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of personnel on board.
Residents described a community united in grief. “The people of Kashmir salute all these brave martyrs and honour their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to the nation,” said 53‑year‑old Muzaffarabad resident Shahid Wani.
After the prayers, the coffins were carefully loaded into ambulances to be transported to the victims’ hometowns for burial, marking the beginning of a nationwide period of mourning.
The crash occurred in one of the most sensitive regions of Pakistan. Kashmir a Muslim‑majority territory claimed in full by both India and Pakistan has been divided between the two since independence from British rule, and remains a flashpoint after decades of skirmishes and several wars.
Security in Muzaffarabad has been particularly tight in recent days, following warnings that members of a protest movement banned under anti‑terror laws planned to hold demonstrations. The heightened tension has added to the sombre atmosphere as the region grapples with the tragedy.
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