Bajaur- A helicopter belonging to the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has crashed in Mohmand district while enroute to flood-hit Bajaur, killing at least three people on board.

According to local officials, the aircraft had departed from Peshawar and was heading to Bajaur to support ongoing rescue and relief operations. Contact with the helicopter was lost shortly after it entered Mohmand’s airspace. Authorities later confirmed it went down in the Chingi Banda area due to severe weather conditions.

Relief Mission Ends in Tragedy

The KP government confirmed the crash and the loss of three personnel. “The helicopter was part of urgent humanitarian operations for flood-affected communities in Bajaur,” an administration official told reporters, adding that search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site.

Residents of the area reported hearing a loud explosion followed by smoke rising from the mountainside. Security forces have cordoned off the site as investigations into the incident are launched.

Floods Leave Trail of Destruction

The helicopter crash comes as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reels from devastating floods and landslides triggered by days of torrential monsoon rains. Officials said more than 100 people have lost their lives across the province, with at least 16 others injured and dozens still missing.

Entire villages have been cut off, complicating relief work. In Bajaur and Battagram, two of the worst-affected districts, roads have been washed away, hampering the delivery of aid.

Authorities reported that at least 35 homes have been severely damaged, with seven completely destroyed and 28 partially affected. Rescue operations remain underway as teams attempt to reach stranded families.

National Tragedy

KP officials expressed sorrow over the deaths of the helicopter crew, noting that they were on the frontline of efforts to save flood victims. “This tragedy underscores the risks faced by those working in hazardous conditions to deliver relief,” the provincial government said in a statement.

Pakistan has faced recurring natural disasters in recent years, with climate change intensifying the frequency of extreme weather events. Relief agencies have appealed for urgent resources to meet the needs of affected families in northern KP.