Army officer dies after falling into ditch near motorway as containers blocked route: ISPR
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An officer of Pakistan Army, Lt Col Shahid, died on Saturday evening after falling into a ditch near Hazro on the Rawalpindi-Peshawar Motorway, while another officer sustained serious injuries, the military’s media wing said.
According to the statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations, Lt Col Shahid and Maj Jalal were travelling from Rawalpindi to Nowshera in a military convoy.
“Since the routes were blocked with containers, both officers got down from vehicles and were on foot to find an alternate route for the convoy,” the statement read.
“In the dark of the night both officers fell from the road edge into a ditch along the motorway near Hazro,” it added.
Due to the incident, Shahid died on the spot while Jalal sustained serious injuries.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan held the government responsible for blocking roads.
PTI Leader Jahangir Khan Tareen expressed grief over the incident and held the authorities responsible for the incident.
"Saddened to hear about the tragic death of Colonel Shahid due to blockage of GT Road. Responsible authorities should be made answerable asap," he tweeted.
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Comments (86) Closed
Oct 29, 2016 11:38pm
Afsoos... where has we come as a state ...
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Oct 29, 2016 11:39pm
Containers were placed by government against the Court order. who ever is responsible for issuing order to place container should be tried in army court
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Oct 29, 2016 11:39pm
Govt is responsible for making hurdles for everyone.
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Oct 29, 2016 11:42pm
How can they block all the routes..........?????? what is wrong with this government......they have made our lives miserable........RIP officers..........
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Oct 29, 2016 11:43pm
Criminal proceedings should be initiated against the persons who blocked the route......and the routes should be opened immediately..........
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Oct 29, 2016 11:44pm
Rip brace soldiers.
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Oct 29, 2016 11:44pm
This is a sad incident but will spin debate in a different direction now.
Nit many democracies around the world will adapt to such stoop tactics.
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Oct 29, 2016 11:46pm
It is a bitter lesson for both Government and PTI, which both blind for their interests. Really being a Pakistani I am feeling grief for our army officers.
State should legislate law for protest and for controlling it.
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Oct 29, 2016 11:46pm
shame on this containers policy ...... has this what it has come down to ? we would let our honorable die in vain !!! our flag barriers fall down ?? then we might as well follow them in the ditch too !!!!
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Oct 29, 2016 11:48pm
Life can end so abruptly, most of us never imagine.
But this shows how fragile life is.
May we have the vision to do good for others till we are in a position to do so.
A point to ponder for our government.
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Oct 29, 2016 11:51pm
This very unfortunate indeed. May he RIP.
The authorities should clear all 'obstacles' from the public highways as per IHC directive. Unfortunately the NS directives to the Police are otherwise!!
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Oct 29, 2016 11:55pm
Very sad incident. They sacrificed in the line of duty. Nothing is going good for Nawaz government. Only one option for Nawaz Sharif, Step down and independent investigations to Panam leaks under Supreme Court.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:00am
Tell me what is the difference between this and any dictatorship.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:00am
Really sad that such brave sons have died because of government negligence and poor planning !
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Oct 30, 2016 12:02am
Now government will put blame on Imran khan
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Oct 30, 2016 12:04am
If the container are still blocking the roads. leading to Islamabad / Rawalpindi, Despite High Court order , Authorities should be tried for contempt of court. Death of a senior officer of armed forces is not a small loss. It takes years of training and long service.. Some one should be held accountable.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:06am
FIR to be lodged against Nawaz Sharif and Chaudary Nisar.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:08am
Not good news. Not good news
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Oct 30, 2016 12:09am
This is so sad. May Allah help their families and make our government realise that stopping protests is not democratic at all.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:11am
RIP!
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Oct 30, 2016 12:12am
Who is to be blamed? those who have blocked the road or those who have made conditions in the capital to get the road blocked.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:12am
It is terrible that two Army officers lost their lives because of road closures but think about the suffering of general public who go through this every day.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:17am
some times I feel PMLN has somehow managed to buy Pakistan and that all of us are their slaves...
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Oct 30, 2016 12:21am
RIP, pml n needs to wake up after long night sleep.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:21am
Its a drEam to make pak free of corruption.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:23am
State actor or non state
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Oct 30, 2016 12:24am
Should the convoy have sought permission / assistance of the relevant Motorway Police as an SOP before embarking off road?
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Oct 30, 2016 12:24am
Where are the judges? Don't they see how the basic rights of citizens are being trampled by the government. Is PMLN owner of the motorway that they can stop people using it just to protect its unlawful government?
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Oct 30, 2016 12:28am
If army faces such miseries due to our leaders, just think of all the mess which the normal people go through.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:34am
Very sad incident! What is logic behind blocking roads with containers three days ahead of protest.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:35am
Look at the picture of blocked roads !!! What is wrong with these people?
The government is causing inconvenience to its"own" people for no reason. Not everyone who travels through that road intends to block Islamabad. But it seems PM don't even care!!
Where is Supreme court ?
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Oct 30, 2016 12:36am
@real zak what part PTI played in this incident . Don't be bias PTI and goverment both responsible for this tragedy .
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Oct 30, 2016 12:42am
Where are all the human rights lawyers of Pakistan? Someone needs to be held responsible for the loss of life here.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:54am
Is it really necessary to place containers on all the roads leading to the Capital? What next , build the walls?
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Oct 30, 2016 12:55am
Sad indeed, I will not try to politicize this tragic death of an Army personnel. Army may investigate and take whatever suits them....
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Oct 30, 2016 12:58am
Yesterday an infant died due to gas shelling. A common man life has proved no value so far. May be an army officer's death will make govt to address to issues.
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Oct 30, 2016 12:59am
Tragic.RIP.
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Oct 30, 2016 01:11am
very tragic incident caused by containers culture
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Oct 30, 2016 01:12am
Another enquiry will be ordered to determine who was responsible.
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Oct 30, 2016 01:20am
Extremely sad incident this is due to placing container to block major roads. PMLN government is responsible for this irreparable loss of a senior army officer. in the past nawaz Sharif himself criticized placing containers to block roads, he is now doing the same thing putting lives of innocent peoples in danger. The other day a new born baby died due to suffocation caused by excessive use of tear gas shells in Rawalpindi.
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Oct 30, 2016 01:29am
Imran Khan , please end your madness of surrounding cities and threats to invade capital. Your actions have already caused discomfort to citizens.
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Oct 30, 2016 01:38am
Interior minister responsible or this
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Oct 30, 2016 02:33am
Really sad to hear the news.
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Oct 30, 2016 02:44am
Very sad. I request my government to let PTI protest and request them to stay put.
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Oct 30, 2016 02:57am
Army officers and no torch, flash light, light on camera?
It is said to lose human beings, more sad when it is soldiers losing life for lack of basic facility. government does not communicate with army, provide them alternate routes to move, nihgt protection gears, communication channels, GPS (with updated diversions and alternate fast routes)??
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Oct 30, 2016 03:16am
Charge PLMN with his death.
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Oct 30, 2016 05:17am
Imran's ego and desperation is the primary cause for all this,
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Oct 30, 2016 05:42am
@S thats nothing you havent writen for years.lol
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Oct 30, 2016 05:44am
govt is doing what supposed for opposition
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Oct 30, 2016 06:15am
It's very tragic and saddened incident which claims the life of an Army officer and seriously injuring other and be condemnedable , but tweets of IK and Tareen didn't make them free of the responsibility which leads to this Gory incident.
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Oct 30, 2016 06:35am
There must be some safety measures to avoid such sad incidents.
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Oct 30, 2016 06:37am
State using non state containers to block the democratic process.
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Oct 30, 2016 06:51am
Aslamo alikum
My dear Pakistani
A very sad incident occurred in the fight of prime minister seat. But who care for that. Our brave army officer gone, but only Pak army and his family remember the loss.
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Oct 30, 2016 07:02am
Both Nawaz and Imran are to be blamed for army officers death
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Oct 30, 2016 07:09am
IK u are responsible for the whole mess.....
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Oct 30, 2016 07:28am
Both Imran and Nawaz are greedy for power in the name of serving the nation .but due to these fighting politician whole public suffering.
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Oct 30, 2016 07:43am
@Truth will Always Prevail -why?
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Oct 30, 2016 08:54am
Sorry about the death of the army officer. These things have to be better organized or lives will be wasted.
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Oct 30, 2016 09:13am
Your report doesn't mention that 900 armed men were trying to enter Islamabad from KPK. Don't give half the story.
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Oct 30, 2016 09:14am
ISPR should file a FIR against PML-N or against that person who ordered to block public roads/highways which created the hazardous situation for public.
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Oct 30, 2016 09:19am
RIP for the departed soul.
But I feel something is fishy and a quick wrap up.
Is unusual that Col. Rank officer doesn't have the knowledge about the blockade. Secondly, pak army Col.would always look upon his speoy to find the route and Col Sb would stay in car for security reason
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Oct 30, 2016 09:45am
Who in the world blocks highways?
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Oct 30, 2016 10:19am
the govt and the pmln are responsible
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Oct 30, 2016 10:38am
Sad news. We will be responsible for our own destruction.
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Oct 30, 2016 10:51am
Very sad incident. All the parties are responsible. In any other country protest does not mean closure of cities from opposition or government. Also it is surprising that the convoy moved without the route information and they did not have latest gadgets for guidance while even google maps is available in smart phones.
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Oct 30, 2016 10:54am
@Dook Is it democracy to block roads or try to disrupt the govt. function by protests. There are some methods of protest being used by civilzed world. All govt. and opposition parties should adopt the same.
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Oct 30, 2016 11:23am
@Truth will Always Prevail well said i agree
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Oct 30, 2016 11:25am
@Jim Who in the world block capitals for protests??
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Oct 30, 2016 11:30am
Its really a sad incident but raises this statement raises some questions:
“Since the routes were blocked with containers, both officers got down from vehicles and were on foot to find an alternate route for the convoy,”
Should we really believe this? inst motorway interchange police told them that the road is closed ? Army covoy was moving w/o route clearance in prior? Dont we all know that there are no " Alternate roads" on motor way !!!
If commanding officers of Lt Col level were finding the way than what rest of the convoy was doing ?
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Oct 30, 2016 12:27pm
what is this nonsense going on in the name of protests!!! God forbid such incidents in the future!!!
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Oct 30, 2016 12:27pm
@JUSTICE totally agree with you
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Oct 30, 2016 07:56pm
The blockage of main roads like Motorways will only worsen the situation for the govt. Had to wait two hours at M2 Islamabad exit because of road blockage by authorities.
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Oct 31, 2016 04:18pm
sad indeed - very sad -
it looks like this is a 2000 year old thinking -
pitty on both Govt and PTI - what are you doing ...
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Oct 31, 2016 04:20pm
PTI decided to close down Islamabad and Government pre-empted PTI and has closed the country down in a knee jerk reaction. Absolutely unnecessary to block motor way. Most inconvenience to completely uninvolved civilians. Now government is responsible for the death of an army colonel.
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Oct 31, 2016 04:55pm
PTI is trying its best to present Pakistan at international fora as there is no constitution in the country & anyone with street power can topple the elected govt.
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Oct 31, 2016 05:36pm
As a look in from India we find this whole concept of Container business very amusing and funny. I mean this is unique, How can a democratic government function in this manner throughout your history is unfathomable. I mean it's a democratic government elected by and for the people. I may agree to not of the people.
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Oct 31, 2016 06:49pm
Since, the govt violated the Court Orders against placement of the containers, Apex court should exercise suo-muto against Nawaz govt.
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Oct 31, 2016 06:50pm
The wrath of the people shall not be contained by containers.
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Oct 31, 2016 06:52pm
@Karachite;
'some times I feel PMLN has somehow managed to buy Pakistan and that all of us are their slaves...'
Just sometimes? most people feel it all the time.
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Oct 31, 2016 06:57pm
@Vikas;
'I mean it's a democratic government elected by and for the people.'
That is precisely the bone of contention, most people I know do not believe this government is elected fair and square.
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Oct 31, 2016 06:58pm
@VINAY;
I appreciate your love for Pakistan army, if that is what it truly is.
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Oct 31, 2016 07:00pm
Nawaz shrif and Imran Khan are same both are responsible for these type of tragic accidents.
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Oct 31, 2016 10:21pm
Basic responsibility is that of Chief Minister of Punjab and the Prime Minister who tried to convert a peaceful demonstration in to violent ones by placing containers here and there to the extent of blocking highways. Resorted to teargas shelling and lathi-charge. They did similar thing in Model Town Lahore on June 16 / 17, 2014 where sever people were killed by Punjab Police and numerous injured. These irresponsible people should be taken to task forthwith.
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Nov 01, 2016 03:44am
R.I.P Sacred soul. Thank you for your service to our motherland.
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Nov 01, 2016 05:48am
Nawaz and company is responsible for his death. They have to pay for this loss.
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Nov 01, 2016 06:12am
@Karachi-Sydney i thought an officer should lead from front instead relying on subordinates.
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