Two army pilots killed as chopper crashes in Multan

Published June 26, 2014
The ISPR said in a statement that the helicopter crashed due to a technical fault during a night flying training mission.File Photo
The ISPR said in a statement that the helicopter crashed due to a technical fault during a night flying training mission.File Photo

MULTAN: Two pilots were killed Wednesday when a Pakistan army helicopter crashed in Multan while carrying out a training exercise, military officials said.

“Two army aviation pilots embraced martyrdom when their helicopter crashed during a night flying training mission due to a technical fault at Multan tonight,” the military said in a statement.

The ISPR identified the deceased pilots as Major Yasir and Captain Murtaza.

A senior military official told news agency AFP that a dust storm that hit the aviation base as the helicopter was taking off could have been a factor in the crash.

The official and the statement did not give the type of helicopter, but army has Russian and American helicopters in its fleet.

The accident comes as the Pakistani military carries out a major offensive in the dangerous tribal district of North Waziristan along the Afghan border, where Tehreek-i-Taliban Taliban (TTP) and al Qaeda-linked militants have taken refuge.

Opinion

Editorial

Rushed legislation
Updated 06 Nov, 2024

Rushed legislation

For all its stress on "supremacy of parliament", the ruling coalition has wasted no opportunity to reiterate where its allegiances truly lie.
Jail reform policy
06 Nov, 2024

Jail reform policy

THE state is making a fresh attempt to improve conditions in Pakistan’s penitentiaries by developing a national...
BISP overhaul
06 Nov, 2024

BISP overhaul

IT has emerged that the spouses of over 28,500 Sindh government employees have been illicitly benefiting from BISP....
Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....