UN Peacekeeping helicopter crashes in Congo, 8 including 6 Pakistani army soldiers lost lives

By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - Pakistan Army on Tuesday confirmed that at least six of its officer and soldiers were lost their lives in a UN Peacekeeping mission helicopter crashed in Congo.

In a statement, the Pakistan Army said that at least eight members of UN peacekeeping mission were killed in a PUMA Helicopter crashed in Congo/

“Six Pakistanis Officers/ soldiers have embraced martyrdom,” said the military.

Pakistan Aviation Unit is deployed in UN Mission Congo on peacekeeping duties since 2011.

The exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained. A

Among the Pakistan soldiers who lost their lives, are Lt Col Asif Ali Awan, Pilot. Maj Saad Nomani, Co-Pilot, Maj Faizan Ali, N/Sub Sami Ullah Khan, Flight Engineer, Havaldar Muhammad Ismail, Crew Chief, L/Hav Muhamad Jamil, Gunner.

Pakistan has always played a pivotal role as a responsible member of the international community to help realize ideals of global peace and security through active sp in various UN Peacekeeping missions.

“Our Peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in executing challenging peacekeeping tasks in conflict-prone areas through devotion and, if necessary, rendering supreme sacrifices,” said the Pakistani military.