ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday visited the residence of martyred army officer Maj Talha Manan, who lost his life this month in a helicopter crash during a flood relief operation in Balochistan, to offer his condolences.

The premier met the bereaved family members and offered fateha for the departed soul, Prime Minister Office said in a statement.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aura­ngzeb, who accompanied Mr Sharif during the visit, said martyrs were the nation’s pride and their sacrifices would never go in vain.

“Our martyrs have sacrificed their lives for the right path,” she said while offering her condolences to Maj Manan’s family.

Martyrs are nation’s pride and their sacrifices will never go in vain, says Marriyum

Maj Manan is survived by two sons. In a meeting with his mother, Ms Aurangzeb paid tribute to him for rendering great sacrifice for the country.

“The entire nation was proud of the mothers who gave birth to the sons like Talha Manan,” she said, adding that his sacrifice for the country would never be forgotten.

The minister said every officer and soldier of the Pakistan Army was wholly devoted to serving the country.

Major Manan was among the six service members martyred in the Aug 1 Lasbela chopper crash, including Commander XII Cor­ps Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali.

The army aviation helicopter, which was helping with flood relief work in Balochistan, lost contact with air traffic control and crashed on a mountain, leaving no survivors.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2022