Peshawar, August 15, 2025: A Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government helicopter crashed on Thursday, killing all three people on board, officials confirmed.
According to senior authorities, the crash occurred near Chengai Banda in Suki, under unexplained circumstances. Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah said the helicopter was heading to Bajaur to support flood relief operations.
KP Chief Minister stated that contact with the MI-17 helicopter was lost before the crash. He directed immediate deployment of rescue teams to the site and confirmed that the provincial government’s second helicopter is currently engaged in rescue operations in Buner district.
Rescue officials reported that in Bajaur’s Salarzai tehsil, the Jabraai area was hit by a powerful flash flood last night, destroying multiple homes and sweeping away connecting roads and bridges.
Authorities said 21 bodies have so far been recovered from various incidents in Bajaur. Local residents claim at least seven people are still missing, with search operations underway. Three injured victims have been given first aid and shifted to hospital.
