Six commanders and troops from the Pakistan Army Aviation unit were martyred in a helicopter crash on Tuesday while serving in the United Nations Mission in Congo.
Since 2011, the Pakistan Aviation Unit has been assigned to the United Nations Mission in Congo for peacekeeping duties. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release, a PUMA helicopter crashed while on a surveillance mission in Congo. The precise cause of the helicopter crash has yet to be determined.
It brought on board eight peacekeepers, including six Pakistani officers and troops who embraced martyrdom.
Lt Col Asif Ali Awan (Pilot), Maj Saad Nomani (Co Pilot), Maj Faizan Ali, N/Sub Samiullah Khan (Flight Engineer), Havaldar Muhammad Ismail (Crew Chief), and L/Hav Muhamad Jamil were among those killed (Gunner).
According to ISPR, Pakistan has always played a crucial role as a responsible member of the international community in assisting in the realization of objectives of global peace and security by active participation in various UN Peacekeeping operations.
It added: “Our peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in executing challenging peacekeeping tasks in conflict prone areas through devotion and, if necessary, rendering supreme sacrifices.”
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