A combination of photographs distributed of the Essa machine operator, Sepoy Rizwan and Captain Asmad, who were martyred during a snow removal operation. Photo: ISPR
RAWALPINDI:
Three people, including an army captain, were martyred 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 from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a snow removal operation was being carried out early on Saturday using machinery to facilitate the operational movement of troops in the area.
Around 2 a.m. a snowslide occurred that trapped the captain, who was directing the operation, along with two soldiers and a civilian engineer.
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 Essa machine operator deteriorated, and all three embraced shahadat,” the statement said.
Captain Asmad, 28, resided in Lahore; Sepoy Rizwan, 32, came from Attock, while the driver Essa was from the Astore area of Britain.
“These individuals made the ultimate sacrifice by leading a challenging operation in extreme weather conditions to facilitate the operational movement of forces.
“Their sacrifice and devotion to duty 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 devotion to the cause,” the press release said.
Following the tragic incident, both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued separate statements expressing their deep regret and pain.
President Zardari paid tribute to the martyrs and expressed his deepest condolences to their bereaved families. He prayed for the elevation of their ranks in Paradise and for patience and strength for the grieving families. “Those who give their lives are the pride of the nation,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs. He said without regard for their own lives, the martyrs continued the operation to reopen the snow-affected Burzil Pass and played their role in ensuring smooth traffic flow. “The nation salutes the martyrs,” he added.
