ISLAMABAD Four Pakistani soldiers have died when an army chopper crashed in the northern mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan, the military said in a statement on Saturday night.
The soldiers were evacuating the body of another serviceman to a hospital in Skardu when the accident took place due to “mechanical reasons,” the military said.
The officers and soldiers who embraced martyrdom were identified as Pilot Major M. Hussain, Co Pilot Maj Ayaz Hussain, Naik Inzimam Alam and Sepoy Muhammad Farooq.
Maj Hussain belonged to Skardu, Maj Ayaz to Karachi, Naik Inzimam to Chakwal while Sepoy Farooq hailed from Sahiwal.
Known for its spectacular mountain ranges, Gilgit-Baltistan is a strategically important autonomous region that borders China, Afghanistan and Indian-held Kashmir.
GB Information Minister Fatullah Khan expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
He acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Army for the country.