Mystery surrounds the crash of a Pakistani military helicopter in Balochistan on Monday that killed Quetta corps commander Lt. Gen .Sarfraz Ali and five others, most of whom were senior military officers.
Details of the crash have not yet been officially released. But inputs received from Pakistan suggest that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), could have downed the chopper in the Lasbela area of Balochistan.
The twitter handle of the daily Balochistan Post, close to the insurgent groups, says that the wreckage of the helicopter has been found. All onboard, including very senior Pakistani military officials, have died.
The tweet also did not rule out that the helicopter could have been downed. “Yet to be ascertained what caused the crash as weather in the area is clear with winds of 11-15 mph and precipitation of less than 10%” says the tweet.
The helicopter was flying from Quetta in Balochistan to Karachi and crashed between Windar and Sassi Punnu shrine.
Reports from Pakistan identify the other five killed as Brigadier Amjad Haneef (DG Coast Guard), Major Saeed (the pilot), Major Talha (the co-pilot) and Naik Mudasir (crew member). Incidentally, Lt. General Sarfraz, was interviewed by former prime minister Imran Khan for the post of director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in October last year.
The “disappearance” of the helicopter has sent shock waves in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tweeted: “The reports of missing helicopter of Army Aviation are very concerning. The whole nation bows in front of Allah for safety and return of personnel involved in flood relief operations.”
بلوچستان سے آرمی ایوی ایشن کے ہیلی کاپٹر کی گمشدگی تشویشناک ہے۔ پوری قوم اللہ تعالیٰ کے حضور سیلاب متاثرین کی مدد پر نکلنے والے وطن کے ان بیٹوں کی سلامتی، حفاظت اور بخیریت واپسی کے لئے دعا گو ہے۔ ان شاءاللہ
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 1, 2022
While expressing “great concern” over the incident, President Arif Alvi prayed for the safety of the passengers, according to a tweet from the Presidency’s official account.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawas also prayed for the safety of the on-board personnel
OMG! May Allah keep them safe. Ameen. https://t.co/yz9M5Qi9ji
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 1, 2022
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also took to Twitter to express his concern.
Disturbing news of army aviation helicopter missing and praying for all those on board.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 1, 2022
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