Pakistan President's Media Adviser Hurt in Helicopter Crash - TV

Oct 08, 05:10 AM

Current Headlines: Text of report by Dubai-based private Pakistani television Geo News website on 8 October

[Words within double slant lines in English]

[Anchor (Javed Iqbal)] A helicopter has crashed in Muzaffarabad [Pakistan-administered Kashmir]. Four people have been killed in the crash so far. We have contacted Maj-Gen Wahid Arshad, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations, to gather further details in this regard.

Yes, general, is there any word on what caused the accident? And what about the identity of the people who were killed or injured in the crash?

[Arshad, via telephone] Yes, this accident took place when fire broke out in the rear section of the helicopter during the flight. As a result, it immediately crash-landed near Garhi Dupatta. And the four people who died due to the fire were killed because of //burn injuries//. Moreover, four other people, including the president's / /media adviser// Gen Rashid Qureshi and two or three other // security// officers, were also injured. Those killed were also // security// personnel. According to the report that I have, the pilots are safe. A //rescue team// reached the spot, and the injured are being evacuated immediately to hospitals in Muzaffarabad.

[Iqbal] General, there were reports that there was //VVIP movement// over there and it was expected that the president and the prime minister will go there. So was it that kind of //movement//? Will it have any impact on their visit?

[Arshad] No. The president has already reached his //destination/ /. This helicopter which crashed after catching fire was also a part of the //team// but it was flying behind the others.

[Iqbal] General, as you said, Gen Rashid Qureshi was also on board and he was also injured and some other //officers// were also injured, so what is the nature of their injuries; what information you have in this regard?

[Arshad] Well, the injuries are //bone injuries// and // different injuries//. But I will be able to give you details only after they arrive at the hospital.

[Iqbal] Thank you very much, Maj-Gen Wahid Arshad.

Originally published by GEO TV, Dubai, in Urdu 0700 08 Oct 07.

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