ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Ruling out the possibility of any terrorist activity, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Friday the helicopter crash in Naltar Valley near Gilgit-Baltistan happened due to an engine failure.
At a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the black box of the crashed helicopter has been retrieved. He dismissed the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claim for the incident as a lie, saying the helicopter had developed a technical problem.
The foreign secretary expressed grief and offered condolences over the sad demise of foreign dignitaries in the mishap, and said the trip was of diplomatic nature and was planned to highlight the development activities in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
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“All the surrounding mountain tops were covered by army personnel. Pakistan army had deployed about one thousand troops for security of the foreign dignitaries.”
Aizaz further said Pakistan Air Force has developed a skiing resort in Naltar Valley and a chair lift (donated by Switzerland) there was to be inaugurated by the prime minister in the presence of the members of the diplomatic corps.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did want to go, but his visit would have required many security formulations which were currently occupied with the relief and rescue operation, hence he had to cancel his plan,” said Aizaz.
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To a question, the foreign secretary said, “The army chief has constituted an investigation board under a brigadier. Some members of the investigation teams have reached the site and others are on their way. The board has started investigations and soon it would become clear as to what happened.”
To another query, he said the helicopter had been commissioned in 2002 and was regularly being serviced, with latest service being done just eleven hours before the accident.
Aizaz also said that arrangements are being made for transporting mortal remains of the dead to their respective countries using PIA planes with full honour and respect. Pakistani ministers would accompany the dead bodies to their respective countries, he added.
According to the foreign secretary, four helicopters were carrying diplomats and officers to the event and one of them carrying 19 people, including high-level diplomats, met an accident just yards away from its landing site. Of the 19 people on board at the time of crash, there were 12 dignitaries, two pilots and five crew members, he said, adding, the crew saved precious lives after the crash at the risk of their own lives and one Army subedar was killed during rescue operation.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced a morning day. Pakistani national flag inside Pakistan and at missions abroad would fly half mast.
