ISLAMABAD: Six Pakistani soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in Congo earlier this week were laid to rest in Rawalpindi on Sunday, with high ranking serving and retired military personnel attending their funeral prayers.
The soldiers and officers were among the eight United Nations peacekeepers who lost their lives during a reconnaissance mission in Congo last week.
Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and relatives of the deceased soldiers also attended the funeral prayers, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
“Namaz e Janaza [funeral prayers] of Shaheed officers and soldiers who embraced shahadat [martyrdom] in a helicopter crash at United Nations Mission Congo was offered today at Chaklala Garrison,” tweeted the ISPR.
Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Pakistan, Julien Harneis, expressed his sorrow and regret over the incident. He appreciated the “unstinting service” of Pakistani men and women in peacekeeping missions around the world.
“I have served in Congo and I have seen the work of Pakistani servicemen in east Congo and I have seen how they have changed the lives of Congolese men and women,” said Harneis in a video message.
He said the UN would investigate the incident with Pakistan to ascertain how the helicopter crashed and led to the casualties.
