Wreckage of missing Pakistan Army helicopter found, 6 officers, soldiers aboard martyred Says ISPR

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

The wreckage of the Pakistan Army helicopter that went missing in Balochistan last night was found near Musa Goth in the Lasbela district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.

“All 6 officers and soldiers including Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali embraced shahadat,” the media affairs wing of the armed forces tweeted.

It added that the accident occurred due to bad weather, as per initial investigations.

The chopper was on flood relief operations in Lasbela, Balochistan when it lost contact with ATC [air traffic control].

Six individuals were on board including Commander XII Corps Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali, who was supervising flood relief operations in Balochistan.

Police sources had told Dawn that area where the chopper went missing was mountainous terrain, without even jeep paths, making it extremely difficult for search and rescue parties.

“Either you go on foot or motorcycles or conduct aerial surveillance,” a senior official had said.

Other difficulties include lack of cell phones coverage and no electricity. Police are said to have engaged the services of local volunteers to assist with the search operation.

Military personnel and equipment, including helicopters, have been engaged in relief operations in the flood-hit districts of Balochistan for weeks now.

Condolences pour in

ISPR’s tweet triggered an outpouring of grief.

President Dr Arif Alvi contacted the army chief over the phone and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the army officers and soldiers, the Associated Press of Pakistan said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the nation was deeply grieved by the martyrdom of Lt General Sarfraz Ali and 5 other officers of the Pakistan Army.

“They were doing a sacred duty of providing relief to flood affectees,” he said, adding that the nation will remain eternally indebted to the “sons of the soil”.

PPP co-chairperson and former president Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief and sorrow over the accident and prayed for the martyrs.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that his heart went out to the families of the martyrs. “May Almighty bless the martyrs with the highest ranks in Jannah and provide the aggrieved families with courage.”

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said that the accident was “unbelievable” for him.

“All the people in the helicopter are the asset of the country and the pride of the nation,” he said, expressing that they had laid down their lives while fulfilling their national duty.

He said the martyrs were among the best army officers and their loss was a national tragedy. The chief minister went on to say that he had a brotherly and friendly relationship with General Sarfraz Ali and lauded his work in Balochistan.

“The people of Balochistan salute the martyrs,” he added.

Army chief briefs PM Shehbaz on rescue operation

Earlier in the day, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the search operations for the helicopter.

During the telephonic conversation, PM Shehbaz had expressed his concern over the safety of Lt Gen Sarfraz and other officials onboard the helicopter.

He had termed the senior army officer a “thorough professional and an excellent person”.

The prime minister had also prayed for the safe return of the brave sons of the soil, saying the entire nation was deeply saddened over the incident.

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

On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also in Balochistan alongside National Disaster Management Authority head Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz.