Aamir Latif
02 August 2022•Update: 03 August 2022
KARACHI, Pakistan
All six people, including a three-star general, aboard a Pakistani army helicopter that went missing on Monday were found dead, the military confirmed on Tuesday.
In a statement, the military’s media wing said the wreckage was found in the suburbs of Lasbela district of southwestern Balochistan province, some 72 kilometers (45 miles) from the country's commercial capital Karachi.
The ill-fated helicopter was carrying military officers and soldiers, including Quetta Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ahmad and Coast Guards Commander Maj. Gen. Amjad Hanif Satti, when it went missing.
The chopper lost contact with the air traffic control during flood relief operations in Balochistan, which has been badly hit by massive downpours and flash floods.
Initial investigation suggested the helicopter crashed due to bad weather.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, ministers and former Premier Imran Khan were among those who expressed sympathy over the deaths.
Türkiye also was "deeply saddened" over the deaths in the crash.
"We convey our condolences to the friendly and brotherly government and people of Pakistan," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
*Merve Aydogan contributed to this story from Ankara.