President Arif Alvi grieved over martyrdom of Pakistani peacekeepers in Congo

Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday expressed grief over the martyrdom of the officers and soldiers of Pakistan armed forces in a helicopter crash in Congo, where they were deployed for United Nations peacekeeping mission.

The president prayed for the peace of the departed souls and paid tribute to those serving in the peacekeeping missions.

He prayed for peace of the souls of Lt Col Asif Ali Awan, Major Faizan Ali, Major Muhammad Saad Nomani, Naib Subedar Samiullah, Havaldar Muhammad Ismail, and Lance Havaldar Muhammad Jamil Khan.

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.