Two officers martyred as Pak Army trainer aircraft crashes

RAWALPINDI: Two officers of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom in a training aircraft Mushshak crash near Gujrat on Monday morning.

According to ISPR, the aircraft was on a routine training mission. Major Umer, a resident of Gujrat, was the Instructor Pilot and Lieutenant Faizan, a resident of Kalar Kahar, Chakwal, was the Student Pilot. President Dr Arif Alvi, meanwhile, paid tribute to the two pilots of Pakistan Army who embraced martyrdom. "The president expressed deep grief over the incident and paid tribute to Major Umer and Lieutenant Faizan on their martyrdom," a President House statement issued here said.

Pakistan Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan expressed grief over the tragic air crash of the Army Aviation Mushshak trainer aircraft. The air chief prayed for the eternal bliss of the martyred souls, who embraced Shahadat in the line of duty, a PAF press release said. He also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar paid tribute to the great sacrifices of Maj Umer and Lt Faizan and extended sympathies to their families. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also expressed grief over the crash.

Minister for Interior Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmad Shah also expressed grief and sorrow over the crash’ In a message, the minister said that the country and nation would never forget the unmatched sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan armed forces.