Chopper carrying Lt-Gen. Sarfraz, five other army officers goes missing

QUETTA/ISLAMABAD: A helicopter carrying Corps Commander XII Lt-General Sarfraz Ali and five other senior military officials went missing in Balochistan on Monday night.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “A Pakistan army aviation helicopter which was on flood relief operations in Lasbela, Balochistan lost contact with ATC [air traffic control]”.

Six army officers were on board including the Commander XII Corps Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali, who was supervising the flood relief operations in Balochistan. Some reports also suggested that Pakistan Coast Guard Director General Brigadier Amjad Hanif Satti, was also on board the missing chopper.

According to ISPR, a search operation was still going on and more details would be released as information became available.

Other difficulties include lack of cell phones coverage and no electricity. Police are said to have engaged the services of local volunteers to assist with the search operation.

Military personnel and equipment, including helicopters, have been engaged in relief operations in the flood-hit districts of Balochistan for weeks now.

On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also in Balochistan alongside National Disaster Management Authority head Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz.

President of Pakistan Dr Arif Ali has expressed concern over the missing helicopter and senior army officers. He shared his concern through a message on twitter.