A Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 transport helicopter crashed shortly after take-off near Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-administered Kashmir on Wednesday, killing everyone on board, the military confirmed.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the helicopter, operated by Pakistan Army Aviation, went down due to what was described as a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff.

The military said a board of inquiry had been convened to determine the exact cause of the crash.

"The board will establish the precise technical reasons behind the accident," the statement said.

According to ISPR, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to the families of those killed in the crash.

Authorities did not immediately disclose the number of personnel on board or the total number of fatalities.

The Mi-17, a Russian-built transport helicopter, has been a key component of Pakistan Army Aviation since the late 1990s. The aircraft is widely used for transport, logistics and operational missions, and is capable of carrying up to 24 troops or several tons of cargo.

Over the years, the United States has assisted Pakistan in refurbishing and overhauling a number of Mi-17 helicopters used by the country's armed forces.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

The crash is the latest involving military aviation assets in Pakistan, where authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. (ILKHA)