JAKARTA (APP) – Indonesia’s ambassador to Pakistan died on Tuesday, 11 days after he was injured in a helicopter crash in Gilgit that killed seven others, Indonesia’s foreign minister said.
Burhan Muhammad, 58, was on a military helicopter that crashed in Naltar area of Gilgit on May 8, killing Muhammad’s wife, the ambassadors of Norway and the Philippines, and three Pakistani crewmen.
“The foreign ministry has lost one of its best diplomats,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.
Government has said the helicopter crashed because of engine failure, dismissing Pakistani Taliban claims that militants had shot it down. The Mi-17 helicopter crashed into an empty school while those on board were inspecting a tourism project.
Muhammad, who had been based in Islamabad since 2008, was taken to a hospital in Singapore for treatment after the May 8 crash. His body would be taken to the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta later on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said.
Pakistani officials said 17 people were on board the helicopter. The ambassadors of Poland and the Netherlands were among the injured.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of Indonesia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Burhan Muhammad, who passed away in a Singapore hospital few hours ago.
The Prime Minister lauded late Ambassador’s role in promoting friendship between Indonesia and Pakistan and prayed that Allah Almighty may bless the departed soul with eternal bliss and grant courage to the bereaved family.
