UPDATE: Crash site has been located. Unfortunately, there were no survivors as per initial reports. Crash site is located 25 nautical miles from Hub near a place called Sassi Pannu, in Lasbela district of Baluchistan.

Karachi: A Pakistan Army helicopter, carrying Commander XII Crops Lt. Gen Sarfaraz Ali and DG Pakistan Coast Guard has gone missing around Sassi Pannu area in Lasbela district of Baluchistan. The helicopter was flying from Othal in Lasbela and was en route to PAF base Faisal in Karachi.  Commander XII Corps was monitoring the relief operation in this helicopter.

As per details available with GCW, A helicopter carrying high level official of Pakistan Army took off from Othal and  was expected to land at PAF Base Faisal at around 1805 hours, but it couldn’t reach at base and its contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) was disconnected.

DG ISPR has confirmed the loss of contact with the helicopter

A Pakistan army aviation helicopter which was on flood relief operations in Lasbela, Balochistan lost contact with ATC. 6 individuals were on board including Commander 12 Corps who was supervising flood relief operations in Balochistan. Search operation is underway.DTF

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 1, 2022

As per reports, followings were on board

Commander 12 Corps Lt Gen Sarfaraz Ali
DG PCG Brig Amjad (promoted Maj Gen.)
Col Cmd Engineers 12 Corps Brig Khalid
Maj Saeed (Pilot)
Maj Talha (Co Pilot)
Crew Cheif Naik Mudassir

Fate of all onboard is not known till the time of this news posting.

As search and rescue operation has commenced, there are reports that a crash of a helicopter was reported to police by locals at 45 degree west from Karachi on Lasbela Axis at place known as Sassi Punnoo. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information comes in. Stay tuned.

News Desk