Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that helicopter aviation was becoming perilous in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader made the remarks while quoting a tweet by journalist Ajmal Jami on the crash of a Pakistan Army chopper in Harnai, Balochidstan. “Heli flying is getting dangerous this needs engineering evaluation, too many crashes …RIP Braveheart’s all were too young to die اللہ صبر دے.”
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
The helicopter, carrying six, crashed late on Sunday in Harnai, Balochistan. “A Pakistani army helicopter crashed during flying mission near Khost, Harnai Balochistan late last night. All six personnel on board including two pilots have embraced shahadat,” the ISPR said in a statement issued on Monday. The deceased include: Majors Muhammad Muneeb Afzal, Khurram Shahzad, Subedar Abdul Wahid, Sepoy Muhammad Imran, Sepoy Shoaib and crew Naik Jalil.
Expressing great grief over the incident, President Arif Alvi prayed for the deceased and condoled with the kin of the military men in a tweet. The president paid tribute to the army men for embracing martyrdom for the nation in a separate tweet.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا ہرنائی،بلوچستان میں ہیلی کاپٹر حادثے پر اظہارِ افسوس
صدر مملکت کاشہداء کےلواحقین سےاظہارہمدردی، شہداء کیلئے بلندی درجات کی دعا
صدر مملکت کا میجر منیب،میجر خرم شہزاد،صوبیدار واحد، نائیک جلیل،سپاہی عمران اور سپاہی شعیب کی شہادت پرگہرے رنج وغم کا اظہار
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 26, 2022
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire nation shared the sorrow of the kin of the deceased in the wake of the copter crash. He prayed for the deceased and expressed home the Almighty would grant patience to their families.
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
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz Sharif said there was “no greater sacrifice” to render than writing a story of loyalty to the motherland with one’s blood. Presenting a salute to the deceased, the PML-N VP said her heart went out to those near and dear to the military men.
There’s no greater sacrifice than to write the story of loyalty to the homeland in blood. May the heroes of Balochistan copter crash rest in eternal peace & Allah’s choicest blessings. Heart goes out to their brave families & loved ones. Salute! 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/Y6ZFz6HXc8
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) September 26, 2022
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said the entire nation together paid tribute to the deceased for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. The nation, he said, shared the sorrow of the kin of the deceased in a tweet.
ہیلی کاپٹر حادثے میں پاک فوج کے افسران اور اہلکاروں کی شہادت پر دلی دکھ ہوا۔فرائض کی ادائیگی کے دوران جانیں قربان کر نے والے شہداء کو پوری قوم سلام پیش کرتی ہے ۔ شہداء کے خاندان کے غم میں شریک ہیں ۔اللہ تعالئ شہداء کے درجات بلند کرے اور لواحقین کو صبر جمیل عطا فرماۓ ۔ pic.twitter.com/kH9lvO4w8w
— Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo (@AQuddusBizenjo) September 26, 2022
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman expressed her “deepest condolences”. In a tweet, the one-time journalist prayed for the kin of the deceased.
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
A Pakistan Army helicopter carrying six had crashed earlier in Lasbela, Balochistan on August 1. The military’s media wing had said that all the six officers on board including Commander XII Corps Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali embraced shahadat (martyrdom), adding that the accident had occurred due to bad weather.
“The wreckage of unfortunate hel[icopter] which was on flood relief op[erations] found in Musa Goth, Windar, Lasbela. All six officers and soldiers including Lt Gen Sarfaraz Ali embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” the ISPR had said in a tweet. Those martyred include Lt Gen Sarfaraz Ali, Brigadier Amjad Hanif, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, Major Saeed Ahmed, Major M Talha Manan and Naik Mudassar Fayyaz.