Army officer killed in helicopter crash in Tarbela

GHAZI: A senior Pakistan Army officer was killed and two others were injured when a military helicopter crashed during training in Tarbela Ghazi on Monday.

Military officials told The News that the Russian-manufactured military helicopter MI-17 crashed during the training session. They said its pilot Lt-Col Tauqeer died on the spot while Major Usman and Havaldar Basharat were seriously injured. They were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) at Tarbela.

According to security officials, it was the third military helicopter that crashed at the Ghazi Aviation Base during the past few years. They said two helicopters, the Russian-made MI-17 and another manufactured in France, had already crashed there.

The late Lt-Col Tauqeer was known among his colleagues for his politeness and friendly attitude. He had also developed friendship with the local people and was respected by the residents of Ghazi.Local residents expressed shock over the incident and offered prayers for the departed soul in local mosques. They also prayed for early recovery of the two injured military officials.