PAF flight lieutenant, Navy lieutenant martyred In Mardan air crash

Two pilots Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of Pakistan Navy on Monday embraced martyrdom, when a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training aircraft crashed near Mardan.

The military’s media wing said a board of inquiry has been constituted by Air Headquarters to ascertain the cause of accident.

“Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the services chiefs and all Ranks Pakistan Armed Forces express deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” the Inter Services Public Relations said.

The development takes place less than a week after a Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad, leaving all on board martyred.

The ISPR had said the helicopter went down due to a technical fault, and there were no survivors among those on board.

“Rescue and recovery teams have been dispatched to the crash site immediately after the incident,” it had said. The military had also said a board of inquiry had been constituted to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Paying tribute to the two pilots who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty today, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed grief over the incident of the Pakistan Air Force training aircraft crash, which also left three other people injured.

The interior minister extended his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the martyred pilots. He further offered prayers for the swift recovery of the three individuals injured in the accident.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of the officers of the armed forces, who embraced shahadat during a routine training sortie, the PAF spokesperson said.

The air chief paid rich tribute to the unwavering dedication, exemplary professionalism and supreme sacrifice of the two young officers, who laid down their lives in the line of duty while serving the nation. He remarked that their courage, commitment and devotion to duty embody the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of Pakistan and will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.

The chief of the air staff conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that Almighty Allah may grant the Shuhada the highest ranks in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bless their families with patience, strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

President, PM pay tribute

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the crash of the training aircraft, paying rich tribute to the two pilots who embraced martyrdom.

In their separate statements, both the dignitaries offered condolences to the bereaved families of PAF Flight Lieutenant Qasim and Pakistan Navy Lieutenant Taha. President Zardari stated that the nation will forever remember the sacrifices of its brave sons who laid down their lives for the country’s defence, praying for the high ranks of the martyrs and fortitude for their families.

PM Shehbaz also prayed for the elevated status of the deceased officers, extending his heartfelt sympathies to the grieving families. Highlighting the role of the armed forces, the prime minister added that the professional expertise and commitment of the Pakistan Armed Forces to the defence of the homeland remain unparalleled.