3 killed as navy helicopter crashes in southwestern Pakistan

The picture shared by Pakistan Navy on September 4, 2023, shows a Pakistani Navy helicopter flying above a sea. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Navy)
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Updated 04 September 2023
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3 killed as navy helicopter crashes in southwestern Pakistan

  • Two Pakistan Navy officers, a soldier killed as helicopter crashes in southwestern city of Gwadar
  • Pakistan Navy starts investigation into crash, says technical fault may have caused accident

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistan Navy officers and a soldier were killed on Monday when a helicopter crashed in the country’s southwestern city of Gwadar, the navy said in a statement. 

The helicopter was on a routine training flight in Gwadar when it crashed, the statement said, adding that a possible technical fault during the flight could have caused the accident. 

“Two Pakistan Navy officers and a soldier achieved martyrdom due to the accident,” the statement said. “Pakistan Navy has started an investigation into the accident.”

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed sorrow over the helicopter crash, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. 

“The prime minister expressed grief and regret over the martyrdom of three Pakistan Navy personnel and prayed for patience for families of the martyrs,” the PMO said. 

Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences over the helicopter crash and the loss of lives. 

“Asif Ali Zardari expressed condolences with the families of the martyrs,” the PPP wrote on the social media platform X. 

Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf expressed sorrow and regret over the incident. 

“The sacrifices by Pakistan’s armed forces for the country and the nation will always be remembered,” Ashraf was quoted as saying by the National Assembly’s official account on X. 


Sri Lanka seal gritty T20 win over Pakistan to level series

Updated 44 min 53 sec ago
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Sri Lanka seal gritty T20 win over Pakistan to level series

  • In a contest trimmed to 12 overs a side, Sri Lanka scored 160 runs before choking Pakistan to 146-8
  • The series saw the visitors clinch the opener by six wickets before rain washed out the second game

Dambulla: Sri Lanka eked out a hard fought 14-run victory over Pakistan in the third T20 at rain-hit Dambulla on Sunday, easing their batting jitters and squaring the three-match series 1-1.

The series, a warm-up for the T20 World Cup with Pakistan set to play all their matches in Sri Lanka due to political tensions with nuclear-armed neighbors India, saw the visitors clinch the opener by six wickets before rain washed out the second game.

“We were a bit worried about our batting and I’m glad we addressed that today,” said Wanindu Hasaranga, who walked away with both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors.

“The bowlers did a good job too. The ball was wet and it wasn’t easy. We tried to bowl wide and slow and asked them to take risks.”

Hasaranga took four wickets in the game and in the process completed 150 wickets in T20Is.

In a contest trimmed to 12 overs a side, Sri Lanka muscled their way to a competitive 160 before choking Pakistan to 146-8.

Having been bowled out inside 20 overs in the series opener, Sri Lanka needed a statement with the bat and duly ticked every box after being put in.

The top order laid the platform and the middle order applied the finishing touches.

Wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis made hay under the Power Play, blasting 30 off 16 balls while Dhananjaya de Silva (22 off 15) and Charith Asalanka (21 off 13) kept the scoreboard ticking.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka then swung the momentum decisively, clubbing 34 off just nine deliveries, peppered with five towering sixes.

The sixth-wicket stand between Shanaka and Janith Liyanage produced 52 runs in just 15 balls and proved the turning point, shifting the game firmly Sri Lanka’s way.

Pakistan came out swinging in reply, racing to 50 in just 19 balls with captain Salman Agha hammering 45 off 12 balls, including five fours and three sixes.

But once the field spread, Sri Lanka tightened the screws, applied the choke and forced the asking rate to spiral.

“It was a good game of cricket,” Agha said.

“We conceded too many runs, but our batting effort was good. Unfortunately, we fell short. We know we are going to play all our World Cup games in Sri Lanka and it’s important that we played in similar conditions,” he added.