RAWALPINDI: According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Army helicopter that had been missing since Monday night in Balochistan crashed, killing six military personnel.
ISPR the military helicopter
Around 5:30 p.m., the military helicopter had vanished while travelling from Quetta to Karachi. The individuals in the helicopter were in charge of managing the flood relief operations in the southwest of the nation.
This year, Pakistan has been severely affected by monsoon rains that were above average and deadly flooding, which have so far claimed hundreds of lives and caused devastation, especially in Balochistan.ISPR
There, the army has participated in rescue and relief operations.
A Pakistan Army aviation helicopter carrying prominent individuals on its crew went missing on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed in a tweet. The helicopter was travelling from Quetta to Karachi.
The military’s media wing explained on Twitter that the aviation helicopter had lost contact with air traffic control while performing a flood relief operation in Lasbela, Balochistan (ATC).
The tweet stated that there were six people on board, including Commander 12 Corps who was overseeing flood relief efforts in Balochistan and that a search operation is in progress.
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Corp Commander Quetta Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali, who was overseeing the flood relief operations in the province, was also on board, according to the information that is currently available.
According to the specifics, Major Syed was the helicopter’s pilot and Major Talha served as his co-pilot. Brigadier Amjad, Director-General of the Coast Guards, Brigadier Khalid, and chief naik Mudassir were also present.
The heavy rains that have devastated the province and killed 147 people are currently keeping the civil authorities and the Pakistan Army busy with relief efforts.
After the incident, the district administration reported that a helicopter had crashed near the Windar area’s Sassi Punnu Shrine, but the ISPR has not yet confirmed whether it was the same aircraft.ISPR
The helicopter was reportedly seen flying low before it vanished, according to locals. The incident reportedly occurred just before sunset, according to reports at the time (Maghrib prayers).
The helicopter is being sought after, according to local police teams, according to deputy inspector general Khuzdar Pervez Imrani. There are mountain ranges in the area, which is making the search effort challenging.
He added that police teams are attempting to search the helicopter on motorcycles despite the difficulties brought on by the terrain. For the past five hours, police and the Frontier Corps have been working together to rescue people.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted his concern regarding the disappearance of the helicopter: “Alarmingly, an Army Aviation helicopter has vanished from Balochistan. The entire country prays to Allah Almighty for the wellbeing of these countrymen who came out to assist the flood victims as well as their safety, security, and return. Allah willing.”
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Imran Khan, the chairman of PTI and a former prime minister, also expressed his concern and prayed for those who were missing.
Prayers for everyone on board and disturbing news of an army aviation helicopter going missing, he tweeted.
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In addition to expressing his deep concern over the disappearance of the helicopter, President Dr. Arif Alvi prayed for everyone on board to remain safe.
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Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party both expressed the same grave concern. He prayed for the wellbeing of all the military personnel on board the missing helicopter.
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The investigation into the missing helicopter is ongoing, according to Commissioner Kalat Division. According to him, the Levies employees are aiding the FC and police teams in their search efforts. The teams are assisted by residents in the area.
The Commissioner also noted that Sassi Pannu, 120 kilometres from Othal, is a hilly region.
