Two army pilots martyred as helicopter crashes in Siachen: ISPR

Published December 6, 2021
Debris of  Pakistan Army aviation helicopter that crashed at Siachen in Gilgit-Baltistan's (GB's) Ghanche district. — Photo by ISPR
Debris of Pakistan Army aviation helicopter that crashed at Siachen in Gilgit-Baltistan's (GB's) Ghanche district. — Photo by ISPR

Two pilots embraced martyrdom after a Pakistan Army aviation helicopter crashed at Siachen in Gilgit-Baltistan's (GB) Ghanche district, according to a statement issued by the military's media affairs wing on Monday.

The martyred pilots were Major Irfan Bercha and Major Raja Zeeshan Jahanzeb, the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said, adding that search and rescue helicopters and army troops had reached the site of the accident following the crash.

The ISPR did not give a reason for the accident.

Separately, GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan issued a statement, expressing grief over the incident and extending his condolences to the families of the martyred pilots.

Later, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz also expressed sorrow over the incident in a tweet.

"I and the [entire] nation salute the brave sons of the country," she said, referring to the martyred pilots.

Meanwhile, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif tweeted: "It deeply pains me to learn about the martyrdom of two officers of the Pakistan Army in a chopper crash in Siachen. The nation remains in eternal debt to our brave soldiers whose sacrifices ensure our safety and future."

Two similar incidents of aircraft crashes were reported in August this year. However, no loss of life was reported following either of the incidents.

The first incident had taken place near Attock in Punjab when a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter trainer aircraft had crashed during a routine training mission on August 6.

According to a statement issued by a PAF spokesperson at the time, both the pilots had ejected from the jet successfully and no loss of life or property was reported on the ground.

Few days later on August 12, a Mushshak aircraft had crash-landed in the fields of Chammala village near Jhelum due to a technical failure and both the pilots inside the aircraft had received minor injuries.


With input from Imtiaz Ali Taj in GB

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...