The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced in a tweet that a Pakistan Army aviation chopper en route from Quetta to Karachi with significant individuals aboard went missing on Monday.
The military’s media wing stated on Twitter that the aviation helicopter was on a flood relief mission in Lasbela, Balochistan, when it lost touch with air traffic control (ATC).
“Six people were on board, including Commander 12 Corps, who was coordinating flood relief efforts in Balochistan,” according to the tweet, which adds that a search is ongoing.
Corp Commander Quetta Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali, who was coordinating flood relief activities in the province, was also on board, according to reports obtained by Geo News.
The civil authorities and the Pakistan Army are now working on relief efforts in the province after a torrential rainstorm wreaked devastation and claimed 147 lives.
According to Geo News, Major Syed was the pilot and Major Talha was the co-pilot of the helicopter. Brigadier Amjad, the Director-General of Coast Guards, Engineer Brigadier Khalid, and Chief Naik Mudassir were also on board.
Following the incident, the district administration stated that a helicopter crashed near the Sassi Punnu Shrine in the Windar area, but the ISPR has yet to clarify whether it was the same helicopter.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern about the aircraft’s abduction on Twitter: “The disappearance of an Army Aviation helicopter in Balochistan is cause for concern. The entire nation prays to Allah Almighty for the safety, security, and return of these countrymen who came out to aid flood victims. In Allah’s name.”