A combination of distributed photos of machine operator Essa, Sepoy Rizwan and Captain Asmad, martyred during a snow clearing operation. Photo: ISPR
RAWALPINDI:
Three people, including an army captain, were killed on Saturday when an avalanche swept away a Pakistan Army team engaged in a night operation to clear snow from the Burzil Pass in northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a snow clearance operation was carried out in the wee hours of Saturday using machines intended to facilitate operational movement of troops in the area.
Around 2 a.m., a snow slide occurred, trapping the captain who was leading the operation, as well as two soldiers and a civilian machine operator.
Following the incident, authorities launched an intensive rescue operation and recovered the four individuals from the snow.
“However, the condition of Captain Asmad, Sepoy Rizwan and machine operator Essa deteriorated, and all three embraced shahadat,” the statement said.
Captain Asmad, 28, resided in Lahore; Sepoy Rizwan, 32, was from Attock, while machine operator Essa was from the Astore region of Britain.
“These individuals made the ultimate sacrifice by conducting a difficult operation in extreme weather conditions in order to facilitate the operational movement of forces.
“Their sacrifice and dedication are testimony to the fact that all ranks of the Pakistan Armed Forces are determined to defend the motherland and will not hesitate to lay down their lives in the line of duty and dedication to the cause,” the press release said.
Following the tragic incident, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued separate statements expressing their deep sadness and grief.
President Zardari paid tribute to the martyrs and extended his sincere condolences to their bereaved families. He prayed for the elevation of their ranks in Paradise and for the patience and courage of the grieving families. “Those who give their lives are the pride of the nation,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs. He said that without worrying about their own lives, the martyrs continued the operation to reopen the snow-covered Burzil Pass and played their role in ensuring smooth flow of traffic. “The nation salutes the martyrs,” he added.
