By Mashal Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan army on Tuesday confirmed that  wreckage of the missing  helicopter in Balochistan that went last night, was found near Musa Goth in the Lasbela district of Southwestern Balochistan.

In a statement, ISPR said that a Pakistan Army aviation helicopter which was on flood relief operations in Lasbela, Balochistan had lost contact with ATC last night and its wreckage has been found.

"The wreckage of unfortunate hel which was on flood relief ops found in Musa Goth, Windar, Lasbela. All 6 offrs & sldrs incl Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali embraced shahadat.

"Accident occurred due to bad weather as per initial investigations," said ISPR.

President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the incident.

"President Dr Arif Alvi has condoled the martyrdom of the high-ranking army officers with Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa on the telephone today and  expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of the army officers and soldiers in the helicopter crash while on a mission to provide relief to flood victims of Balochistan," said in a statement issued from President House.

Corps Commander 12 Corps Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali, Director General Pakistan Coast Guard Major General Amjad Hanif, 12 Corps Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, Pilot Major Saeed Ahmed, Assistant Pilot Major Muhammad Talha Mannan and Naik Mudassar Fayyaz martyred in the crash.

Expressing his deep sorrow and grief over the unfortunate incident, the President prayed for the elevation of their ranks in Jannah and also expressed sympathy for their families for their irreparable loss.

"aying tribute to the martyrs' services for the country and the nation, the President said that these officers were selflessly engaged in relief operations disregarding the danger posed to their lives to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.

The President added that the entire nation is indebted to them and salutes them for responding to the call of duty and providing relief to the people facing hardship due to heavy floods and bad weather.

During his conversation, the President affectionately recalled a briefing given to him by Corps Commander Lt General Sarfraz Ali during one of his visits to Gawadar and said that he found the officer extremely capable and intelligent having exceptional management skills.

Chief of Army Staff, while apprising the President of the unfortunate incident, said that the helicopter met an accident because of low visibility due to bad weather and added that the wreckage of the helicopter had been recovered and all military officers had embraced martyrdom.

During the telephonic interaction, the President said that he would personally attend the funerals of the martyrs and would personally offer his condolences to their families and relatives.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of the army officers and soldiers in the helicopter crash

"Tragic news about the army aviation helicopter crash & the martyrdom of all six on board. My condolences & prayers to the families of the martyrs. I had the privilege of knowing Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali whom I found to be a thorough professional & an upright, honest human being," Khan tweeted.