13 die in Himalayan helicopter crash

A Pakistan army helicopter slammed into a high Himalayan mountain peak today, killing all 13 military personnel on board.

The helicopter was on a routine flight to the Astore Valley, 155 miles north-east of the capital, Islamabad, said Brigadier Saulat Raza.

He said the crash was an accident, but did not give the cause.

There were no survivors. Included among the victims were several midlevel officers and the helicopter’s crew.

Raza said the remote Himalayan region is difficult to reach by road, so army officials routinely travel by helicopter.

In February, Air Force Chief Mushaf Ali Mir, his wife and 15 others died when their plane crashed on approach near the Kohat Air Force Base, about 200 120 miles) north-west of Islamabad.