Mohmand: Two pilots and three crew members embraced martyrdom in a helicopter crash in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government helicopter Mi-17 was carrying relief supplies to rain-affected areas of Bajaur when it crashed in Mohmand due to bad weather.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a day of mourning on Saturday, during which the national flag will remain at half-mast in the province. President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the helicopter crash in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a relief operation. In a statement, the President paid tribute to those martyred in the crash, referring to them as heroes of the nation who sacrificed their lives in the service of humanity. He commiserated with the families of the martyred and prayed for their eternal peace.

Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq conveyed deep condolences over the loss of lives in the incident. He stated that those who sacrifice their lives while serving the nation in times of crisis are the true heroes of Pakistan. Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep grief and sorrow over the crash, emphasizing that the five personnel martyred in the incident are national benefactors.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in a statement, said the helicopter crew sacrificed their lives to save others. He acknowledged their heroism and noted that their sacrifice will be remembered and honored.