Delhi (The Stellar News): According to the inputs received from Pakistan, on late Monday night, a Pakistani Army chopper carrying Quetta Corps commander Lt. Gen Sarfraz Ali and five other people crashed in the Lasbela area of Balochistan. While the crash is being investigated, there is a very strong and credible suspicion that the chopper may have been shot down by Baloch rebels. All six aboard are believed to be dead.
According to the information, the Balochistan Liberation Army, which has not yet released a statement, may have been chosen to attack the helicopter because the Quetta Corps commander, a senior official who have overseas counter-insurgency operations in the region and guards the border with south Afghanistan, was on board. The other victims were Brigadier Amjad Haneef (DG Coast Guard), Major Saeed (the pilot), Major Talha (the co-pilot) and Naik Mudasir (crew member).
Additional reports state that shortly after taking off from a base in Balochistan’s Lasbela area, the helicopter lost communication with ground control.
In Balochistan’s southwest, search operations are currently being conducted for the missing aircraft. A senior police official explained to local media outlet that the region’s sparsely populated hilly terrain is hampering the attempts to locate the wreckage and bodies, or survivors.
Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressed his worry and requested prayers for the soldiers. In Urdu he tweeted, “The disappearance of Army helicopter from Balochistan is alarming. The entire nation prays to Allah Almighty for the safety, security and return of these sons of the country who came out to help the flood victims. God willing…”
Imran Khan, a former PM of Pakistan, extended his prayers for the safety of those onboard the downed chopper, tweeting: “Disturbing news of army aviation helicopter missing and praying for all those on board.”
Report: Deepanjot Kaur (Under Training)
