CHITRAL: A Pakistan Air Force helicopter, engaged in relief and rescue efforts, crashed in the Khot area of upper Chitral on Thursday, injuring several people.

According to sources, the helicopter was being used to conduct rescue and relief operations in the flood affected district of Chitral.

According to eye witnesses, as the helicopter was taking off, it collided with a tree at the height of 30 feet and suffered partial damage.

Security forces have confirmed the incident.

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Earlier this year, several dignities were killed when a Pakistan Army helicopter crash-landed on a school in Naltar Valley.

Ambassador of Philippines Domingo D Lucenario Jr, Ambassador of Norway Leif Larsen and the wives of the Malaysian and Indonesian ambassadors were among seven people killed in the helicopter crash in Naltar Valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region on May 8, 2015.

The crashed helicopter was carrying a delegation of ambassadors to inspect projects on a three-day trip to Gilgit-Baltistan, where the foreign envoys were set to meet with the prime minister.

The floods have caused immense damage to large parts of the Chitral, destroying homes, bridges, roads, orchards, standing crops and water channels and killing hundreds of livestock. The newer concrete bridges could not withstand the floods like the earlier suspension bridges.

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Massive rescue and relief efforts are under way by the Pakistani armed forces for those affected by flash floods in the district.

Military helicopters are hovering over the flood-ravaged villages to rescue the affected people and drop food as local authorities are engaged in setting up make-shift shelters and food huts for those trapped.

Read more: Relief operation continues in flood-hit Chitral as death toll reaches 31