- All 6 officers and soldiers onboard embrace martyrdom.
- The chopper went missing Monday evening.
- Helicopter crashed due to bad weather, ISPR says.
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army helicopter that had gone missing last evening in Balochistan crashed, leaving six military personnel martyred, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.
The military chopper had gone missing as it was en route from Quetta to Karachi at around 5:30pm. The personnel in the chopper were overseeing the flood relief efforts in the southwest of the country.
Above normal monsoon rains and deadly flooding have hit Pakistan hard this year, killing hundreds of people so far and wreaking havoc, particularly in Balochistan.
The army has remained involved in rescue and relief efforts there.
The ISPR, in a statement, said that the wreckage of the unfortunate helicopter was found in Musa Goth, Windar, Lasbela. It said that the accident occurred due to “bad weather” as per the initial investigation.
The wreckage of unfortunate hel which was on flood relief ops found in Musa Goth, Windar, Lasbela. All 6 offrs & sldrs incl Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali embraced shahadat. اِنّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Accident occurred due to bad weather as per initial investigations . DTF pic.twitter.com/dnyano2vqC— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 2, 2022
All six officers and soldiers, including Corps Commander Quetta Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali, embraced martyrdom, the military’s media wing added.
The monsoon flooding, which began in mid-June, has killed almost 500 people so far in Pakistan, with at least 149 dead in Balochistan alone.
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.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا آرمی چیف سے ٹیلی فون پر رابطہ، بلوچستان ہیلی کاپٹر حادثے کے شہداء کیلئے اظہار افسوس
صدر مملکت کا ہیلی کاپٹر حادثے میں شہید ہونے والے فوجی افسران اور جوانوں کی شہادت پر گہرے رنج و غم کا اظہار
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 2, 2022
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.
Nation is deeply grieved on the martyrdom of Lt. General Sarfraz Ali & 5 other officers of Pakistan Army. They were doing a sacred duty of providing relief to flood affectees. Will remain eternally indebted to these sons of soil. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 2, 2022
“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.
صلہ شہید کیا ہے تب و تاب جاودانہ!
اللہ وطن عزیز کے بہادر بیٹوں کو جنت الفردوس میں جگہ عطا فرماۓ آمین https://t.co/g4qCQcNzim
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) August 2, 2022
Following the tragic incident, PTI Chairperson Imran Khan offered his condolences to the families of the martyrs.
The former prime minister, in a statement on Twitter, said: “Tragic news about the army aviation helicopter crash and the martyrdom of all six on board. My condolences and prayers to the families of the martyrs.”
Tragic news about the army aviation helicopter crash & the martyrdom of all six on board. My condolences & prayers to the families of the martyrs. I had the privilege of knowing Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali whom I found to be a thorough professional & an upright, honest human being.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 2, 2022
“I had the privilege of knowing Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali whom I found to be a thorough professional and an upright, honest human being,” added Khan.
PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also offered his condolences over the deaths of the Army official in the incident.
سابق صدر آصف علی زرداری کا بلوچستان میں فوجی ہیلی کاپٹر کے حادثے پر اظہار افسوس
آصف علی زرداری کا لیفٹیننٹ جنرل سرفراز علی اور میجر جنرل امجد بریگیڈیئر محمد خالد میجر سعید احمد میجر محمد طلحہ منان اور مدثر حیات کی شہادت پر صدمے کا اظہار @AAliZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) August 2, 2022
