Army chopper crash: The government is expanding its investigation into a disinformation campaign against the military.

The federal government has broadened the scope of its investigation into the smear campaign launched against the military officers killed in the Lasbela helicopter crash, including officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on a six-member inquiry committee formed to ascertain the facts.

During a flood relief operation last Monday, a Pakistan Army chopper carrying a senior commander and five men crashed on a mountain, and all aboard embraced martyrdom.

Following the tragedy, a social media smear campaign targeting the martyred military officers and included hashtags against the armed forces began.

Lieutenant General Sarfaraz, Brigadier Amjad Hanif, whose name had been cleared for advancement to Major General, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, both pilots Major Saeed Ahmed and Major Talha Manan, and Naik Mudassar Fayyaz were among those killed.

“The goal of forming the joint investigation team is to catch the genuine persons who are engaged behind the scenes,” claimed the sources.

Dr. Mohammad Athar Waheed, Additional Director General, Cyber Crime Wing; Dr. Waqaruddin Syed, Director FIA CCW North; Ayyaz Khan, Additional Director CCW Islamabad; and Imran Haider, Assistant Director Islamabad had previously formed a four-member inquiry team.

The second notification, released on August 8, indicated the inclusion of intelligence officers in the list, including IB Deputy Director Waqar Nisar.

On August 10, the JIT will convene at the FIA Headquarters in Islamabad (tomorrow).

The committee will take substantial and decisive steps to apprehend individuals responsible for the slanderous campaign against the martyred military men. There is a significant probability that the FIA’s director general will also attend the meeting, but no final decision has been made.