A Pakistani army helicopter carrying 6 military officers, including two majors, crashed in southwestern Balochistan province, killing all on board, the army said on Monday.
According to the army, the helicopter crashed during a training mission near Khost in the Harnai district of Balochistan late last night.
“All 6 personnel on board, including two pilots, have embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” said a statement from the army’s media wing.
This is the second such incident in Balochistan province in the last two months.
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Climate Minister Sherry Rehman offered her condolences over the lives lost in the crash. She also prayed for the families of the martyred officials.
My deepest condolences for the heroes who lost their lives in the helicopter crash in Harnai today. Prayers & duas 🤲🏼for the families of Major Khurram Shahzad,Major Muhammad Muneeb Afzal,Subedar Abdul Wahid,Sepoy Muhamad Imran,Naik Jalil & Sepoy Shoaib. May they rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/I8wiXgb7hg
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 26, 2022
Last month, six senior military officers, including Corps Commander Quetta Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ahmad, lost their lives when their helicopter crashed during a flood relief operation.
Too many crashes
Reacting to the news of the latest crash, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he was deeply grieved. He prayed for the deceased and their family members, adding that the entire nation shared the grief of the bereaved.
ہرنائی بلوچستان میں پاک فوج کے ہیلی کاپٹر کے حادثے میں 2 پائلٹس سمیت 6 فوجی اہلکاروں کی شہادت پر دل شدید دکھی اور رنجیدہ ہے۔اللہ تعالی سے دعا ہے کہ وہ شہداء کو جنت الفردوس میں جگہ عطا فرمائے اور ان کے لواحقین کو صبر جمیل دے۔ پوری قوم غمزدہ خاندانوں کے دکھ میں شریک ہے۔
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 26, 2022
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said he was deeply saddened to hear of the incident, terming it to be “tragic”.
ہرنائی ہیلی کاپٹر حادثے میں پاک افواج کے افسروں اور اہلکاروں کی شہادت پر شدید دکھ ہوا، شہداء کی بلندی درجات اور اہلِ خانہ کیلئے صبر جمیل کی دعا۔ ہیلی کاپٹر حادثہ انتہائی المناک ہے۔ شہادتوں کی اطلاع پر دلی رنج ہوا۔ وطن کی حفاظت میں جام شہادت نوش کرنے والے شہداء قوم کے محسن ہیں۔
— Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) September 26, 2022
PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry said helicopter flying was getting dangerous, adding that this required “engineering evaluation”.
“Too many crashes […] rest in peace bravehearts. All were too young to die,” he said.
Heli flying is getting dangerous this needs engineering evaluation, too many crashes …RIP Braveheart’s all were too young to die اللہ صبر دے https://t.co/dM68MgQxJL
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 26, 2022
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo expressed deep grief and sorrow over the helicopter crash. In a statement, he said the entire nation paid rich tribute to those who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties.
“We wish Allah’s mercy upon the soldiers who embraced martyrdom in the accident and extend our heartfelt condolences to the brotherly people of Pakistan,” the Turkish embassy in Islamabad said.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk