Pak Army captain, soldier among 3 martyred during snow clearance operation at Burzil Pass

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Three persons including a Pakistan Army Captain and a sepoy embraced shahadat due to a snow slide that hit during a snow clearance operation in Burzil pass in the early hours of December 3, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relationa (ISPR), the operation was being conducted using heavy machinery to open Burzil Pass to facilitate operational movement of own forces in the area.

The statement said that the snow clearance operation was led by Captain Asmad. At around 2 in the morning today, while the operation was ongoing, a snow slide triggered and entrapped Captain Asmad along with two soldiers and a civilian machine operator.

“After intensive efforts, all four individuals were rescued from snow, however, condition of Captain Asmad, Sepoy Rizwan and Machine Operator Essa deteriorated and they embraced Shahadat, it added.

The military’s media wing said that these individuals rendered ultimate sacrifice by leading a challenging operation, in extreme weather conditions, to facilitate operational movement of forces.

“Their sacrifice and devotion to duty is testimony to the fact that all ranks of Pakistan Armed forces are determined to defend the motherland and will not hesitate to lay down their lives in the line of duty and devotion to cause,” the ISPR said.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of a Pakistan Army officer and soldier during a snow clearance mission at Burzil Pass.

In heartfelt statements issued separately, they paid homage to the courage and dedication of Captain Asmad, Sepoy Rizwan, and Machine Operator Essa, who laid down their lives in service to the nation.

The leaders emphasized that these martyrs embody the pride and resilience of Pakistan, having carried out their duties under extreme conditions without hesitation or concern for their own safety.

They prayed for the eternal peace of the fallen heroes and offered sincere condolences to their families, standing with them in their time of grief.