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⇱ Two army pilots martyred as helicopter crashes in Siachen: ISPR - Pakistan - DAWN.COM


Two army pilots martyred as helicopter crashes in Siachen: ISPR

Naveed Siddiqui 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

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

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Comments (20) Closed
Saad
Dec 06, 2021 05:21pm
Crashes how?
Recommend 0
Vikas
Dec 06, 2021 05:23pm
No reason given nor the make of the helicopters. Safe to assume in that case that these were very much Chinese (toys).
Recommend 0
Sam
Dec 06, 2021 05:27pm
Flying skills and chinese aircraft not fit for real war terrain. Do what you do best: serve tea!
Recommend 0
Wasi Qureshi
Dec 06, 2021 05:31pm
What's going on.. Every other day there is such an incident.
Recommend 0
faizan
Dec 06, 2021 05:47pm
inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
Recommend 0
kamal chowkidar
Dec 06, 2021 05:52pm
Helicopter was actually shot down when it crossed the LOC.
Recommend 0
G. Abbas
Dec 06, 2021 06:03pm
Rest in peace soldiers. Irfan was a daring pilot and would go where others dared not...
Recommend 0
Fastrack
Dec 06, 2021 06:04pm
These Chinese made low quality aircrafts should be avoided
Recommend 0
Reality_Hard_To_Make_Out
Dec 06, 2021 06:43pm
Siachen with Pakistan? Were they fired at by the unmentionable warriors?
Recommend 0
well-wisher
Dec 06, 2021 07:30pm
R.I.P Check all aircrafts and choppers for technical airworthiness.
Recommend 0
Srin
Dec 06, 2021 07:37pm
Another snow-clad mountain belt acquired illegally. The sins and crimes are filling up the pot!
Recommend 0
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Dec 06, 2021 08:05pm
What a grave, gruesome, grim, grisly, gross, gigantic and great tragedy? Inna Lilla Hay Waa Inna Illehey Rajayoon.
Recommend 0
Abdul Silin
Dec 06, 2021 08:07pm
Isn't India controlling siachen. Strange.
Recommend 0
Alla Bux
Dec 06, 2021 09:22pm
RIP. But why did the heli go to Siachin, which is occupied by India? Did India shoot it down?
Recommend 0
Janan
Dec 06, 2021 09:45pm
They die in the line duty
Recommend 0
AZAM AKBAR
Dec 06, 2021 11:16pm
Rest In Peace.
Recommend 0
Khan
Dec 06, 2021 11:19pm
How is this crash even remotely similar to aircraft crashes? They are a totally different breed.
Recommend 0
Sane Mind1st
Dec 06, 2021 11:50pm
@G. Abbas, Yeah, And he has gone there only.
Recommend 0
Hashim
Dec 07, 2021 05:47am
@Vikas, Pakistan Army does not fly any Chinese helicopters. This must have been the Russian MI-17, and an unlikely chance that it could be a Bell. They are the workhorses of the Army.
Recommend 0
ABU TALIB
Dec 07, 2021 09:56am
Rest in peace; to our beloved sons of the soil. Technicality may be involved for the crash.
Recommend 0

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