RAWALPINDI: Two Pakistan Army pilots embraced martyrdom on Monday after a military aircraft, which was on a routine training mission, crashed near Gujrat.
The cause of the accident remains unknown as yet.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) identified the martyrs as Major Umer, an instructor pilot, and Lieutenant Faizan, a student pilot.
Earlier on March 23, an F-16 fighter jet crashed near Shakarparian in Islamabad during rehearsals for the Pakistan Day Parade.
Wing Commander Nauman Akram was martyred in the crash.
Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had paid tribute to the martyr and said: “Laying one’s life is the ultimate sacrifice one can make for the defence of the motherland. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts and sincere prayers for the bereaved family.”
In July last year, 17 people lost their lives after a military aircraft crashed into a populated area in the suburbs of Rawalpindi.
Five army officials and 12 civilians were martyred in the tragedy, the ISPR had said.
Another 12 civilians were injured in the crash as the aircraft slammed into houses below where most of the people were sleeping at the time, the statement had said.
In his condolence message, Interior Minister retired Brigadier Ijaz Shah expressed grief over the incident.
According to the statement, Shah prayed for the departed souls to rest in eternal peace.
He further said that the county and nation will never forget the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces.
