Six Pakistan Army personnel embraced martyrdom in Balochistan helicopter crash: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Six Pakistan Army personnel embraced martyrdom in a helicopter crash in Balochistan, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.

The military’s media wing confirmed the wreckage of the unfortunate helicopter, which was on flood relief operations found in Musa Goth, Windar, Lasbela.

“All 6 officers and soldiers inkling Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali embraced shahadat,” ISPR said, adding that the accident occurred due to bad weather as per initial investigations. 

A day earlier, the military helicopter lost contact with the air traffic control while it was en route from Quetta to Karachi.

Six individuals were on board, including Commander 12 Corps who was supervising flood relief operations in Balochistan," the military’s media wing had said.

According to the details, Major Saeed Ahmed was the pilot while Major Mohammad Talha Manan was the co-pilot of the helicopter. The Director-General of Coast Guards Brigadier Amjad Hanif, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, and Naik Mudassir Fayyaz were also onboard the helicopter.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a telephonic conversation with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa received the latest information regarding the incident.

In the telephonic discussion, the COAS had informed the prime minister about the ongoing search operations since last night.

The prime minister had expressed his concern over the safety of Commander of 12 Corps Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali and other six officials and jawans onboard the helicopter.

He termed Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali a thorough professional and an excellent person.

He said the officers and jawans who provided assistance to the flood victims had emerged as an exemplary example of dedication and service.

The premier said serving the brothers, sisters and children in their hour of need was the real strength of the Pakistani nation.

Condolences pour in

President Dr Arif Alvi made a telephone call to CAOS Qamar Javed Bajwa and offered his condolences over the demise of six army officials in the tragic incident.

All the personnel on board the helicopter embraced martyrdom, the COAS confirmed, adding that the incident took place due to bad weather and poor visibility during the rescue and relief operation in the province. He maintained that the wreckage of the copper has been recovered.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the Nation is deeply grieved by the martyrdom of Lt Gen Ali and five other officers of the Pakistan Army.

“They were doing a sacred duty of providing relief to flood affectees. Will remain eternally indebted to these sons of [the] soil. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families!” he wrote on Twitter.

Expressing grief over the tragic incident, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyred military personnel.

PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also offered his condolences over the deaths of the Army official in the incident.