Mass funeral held for 22 Pakistani soldiers killed in Kashmir helicopter crash
9 reported2 unconfirmed
Rescuers recovered the remains of all 22 soldiers aboard a military helicopter that crashed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, officials said Thursday, confirming no survivors. The helicopter crashed Wednesday in Muzaffarabad, the regional capital, apparently due to a technical fault, according to Pakistan’s military. An Associated Press reporter counted 22 coffins draped in Pakistan’s national flag at a mass funeral attended by senior government and military officials. Witnesses and regional officials said the remains were recovered from badly burned wreckage. The dead included a colonel and two army majors, according to two security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Regional Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore attended the funerals. The soldiers had been traveling to carry out security duties after a call for a march by the Joint Awami Action Committee, a recently banned alliance. Authorities have not indicated any connection between the planned protest and the crash.
What’s reported
The helicopter crashed Wednesday in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
All 22 soldiers aboard died; no survivors.
The crash was apparently due to a technical fault, per Pakistan’s military.
An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
The dead included a colonel and two army majors, per anonymous security officials.
Regional Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore attended the funeral.
The soldiers were traveling for security duties after a call for a march by the Joint Awami Action Committee.
Authorities have not indicated any connection between the planned protest and the crash.
Pakistan has deployed additional security forces after an outlawed group attack killed four police and security personnel over the weekend.
Open questions
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Whether the planned protest or recent attacks are linked to the crash is not indicated by authorities.
Key figures
Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, regional Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir
Two anonymous security officials
A colonel and two army majors (names not provided)
Sources: abcnews.com
