Eight United Nations peacekeepers, including six officers and soldiers of Pakistan Army Aviation, lost their lives as a Puma helicopter crashed in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a reconnaissance mission, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday.
“Pakistan Aviation Unit is deployed in UN Mission Congo on peacekeeping duties since 2011. On Mar 29, 22 while undertaking a reconnaissance mission in Congo, 1 PUMA Helicopter crashed,” read a statement issued by the military’s media wing.
Confirming that all eight UN peacekeepers on board including six Pakistani one Russian and one Serbian have been killed, the press release said that the exact cause of crash is yet to be determined. The ISPR identified the Pakistani martyred official as:
- 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)
- L/Hav Muhamad Jamil (gunner)
“We offer our condolences to the government and families” of the eight UN peacekeepers, the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The wreckage and bodies were retrieved during a search and rescue operation launched by the mission known as MONUSCO. Without stating the cause of the crash the mission said an investigation was underway.
Pakistan army in UN peacekeeping missions
Pakistan has always played a pivotal role as responsible member of the international community to help realize ideals of global peace and security through active participation in various UN Peacekeeping missions, stated the ISPR.
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.”
PM Khan’s condolence message
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his “deep sense of shock and grief”, his office said, paying tribute to the global peace effort by the country’s armed forces.
Ambassador Munir Akram’s condolence message
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram said, “today in an unfortunate spate of events, six brave Pakistani peacekeepers embraced martyrdom in a helicopter crash. They made this ultimate sacrifice while serving in Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the UN contingent.
My heart goes out to the families of the martyrs. They will always be in our prayers. During our phone call, the UN Secretary General assured me of a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident,” he added.
Fighting resumed in DR Congo’s restive area
The helicopter crashed in the North Kivu province in an area where there has been fighting this week between rebels and the Congolese army. Sources in the region have reported that fighting between government troops and the rebels from M23, also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army, resumed Tuesday morning. The rebellion militia was defeated by the army in 2013 but has resurfaced since November and has been accused of staging several raids on military strongholds around Rutshuru.