By Sardar Khan Niazi
A Pakistan Army aviation helicopter going from Quetta to Karachi with important personalities aboard went missing on Monday. Pakistan Army Aviation helicopter was on a flood relief operation in Lasbela, Baluchistan when it lost contact with air traffic control (ATC).
Reports said the helicopter crashed near the Sassi Punnu Shrine, located near the Windar, Lasbela. Six individuals on board got martyrdom. The wreckage of the unfortunate helicopter was found in Musa Goth. The accident occurred due to bad weather as per initial investigations.
Those who were on board included Corps Commander XII Corps, Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali, Director General Pakistan Coast Guard, Major General Amjad Hanif, Commander Engineers XII Corps, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, Major Saeed (Pilot), Major Talha (Co-Pilot), Crew Chief Naik Mudassir.
All the people in the helicopter were the asset of the country and the prestige of the nation. With dedication and service, they were serving the country, keeping up the long and proud tradition of Pakistan army support to relief efforts.
They laid down their lives while fulfilling their national duty. The martyrs were among the best army officers and their loss is a national tragedy. The bravery and courage of Pakistan’s armed forces are unmatchable. The unforgettable sacrifices of the Pakistan Army are written in golden words.
Pakistan has had several challenges and the armed forces have been performing important duties to cope with the internal challenges and secure the country’s borders.
The martyrdom of Lt. General Sarfraz Ali and other officers of the Pakistan Army sadden the nation. They were doing a sacred duty of providing relief to flood victims. We will remain eternally indebted to these sons of the soil. We extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
A large portion of our nation knows the unforgettable memories of acts of valor and sacrifice of our brave young men in uniform. Losing even a single soldier while doing duty is not easy but it is the faith in the cause, which overtakes the concern for security, and achievement of the objective becomes supreme.
Great nations remain ever indebted to the martyrs and never hesitate in honoring their sacrifices. Hundreds of young and senior men in uniform happily embraced martyrdom for the future of the country. Pakistan Army is probably the only military where our martyrs include senior officers of the rank of Generals to a Sepoy.
We have no words to offer accolades to each one of the unsung heroes from the junior most soldier to General officers who displayed exemplary courage, grit, sense of responsibility, and patriotism in performing their duties beyond the call of duty.
Remembering the country’s heroes is a source of motivation for both forces and the nation. Sacrificing life for the defense of the motherland is the highest sacrifice that one can make. We can never thank the families of our martyrs for their great sacrifice.
The martyrs have written sagas of insurmountable courage, resolve and valor to sacrifice the last ounce of their blood. The nation is proud of the sacrifices of martyrs. The highest forums of the UN have lauded the sacrifices of Pakistan Army soldiers.
The sacrifices of our martyrs will not go waste. We laud the brave families of the martyrs for the supreme sacrifices they rendered for the country. We hail their courage. No sacrifice is greater than life to protect and defend our beloved motherland and to provide relief to its citizens.
I shall like to express my personal gratitude to the families of our heroes for their ultimate sacrifice for the country. May Allah bless their homes with greater peace of mind and heart and grant blessings in abundance to the martyrs. Ameen.
