PM Imran Khan condoles martyrdom of Pakistani peacekeepers in Congo

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed grief over the martyrdom of officers and soldiers of the Pakistan armed forces in a helicopter crash in Congo, where they were deployed for the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

The prime minister also paid homage to the services of the Pakistan armed forces for maintaining peace in the world.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Six Pakistani officers and soldiers, part of a UN peacekeeping mission, embraced martyrdom Tuesday when the helicopter carrying them crashed in Congo.

Pakistan Aviation Unit is deployed in UN Mission Congo on peacekeeping duties since 2011.

“On Mar 29, 2022, while undertaking a reconnaissance mission in Congo, a PUMA Helicopter crashed. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained. Eight UN peacekeepers on board including six Pakistanis Officers/ soldiers have embraced martyrdom.”

Those who embraced martyrdom include Lt Col Asif Ali Awan, Pilot, Maj Saad Nomani, Co-Pilot, Maj Faizan Ali, N/Sub Sami Ullah Khan, Flight Engineer, Havaldar Muhammad Ismail, Crew Chief, and L/Hav Muhamad Jamil, Gunner.

“Pakistan has always played a pivotal role as a responsible member of the international community to help realize ideals of global peace and security through active participation in various UN Peacekeeping missions. Our Peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in executing challenging peacekeeping tasks in conflict-prone areas through devotion and, if necessary, rendering supreme sacrifices,” the ISPR statement concluded.