Condolences pour in for victims of GB helicopter crash

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic helicopter crash in Naltar near Gilgit-Baltistan that claimed at least seven lives this morning.

He extended heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in this incident and announced a day of mourning.

The convoy of three helicopters was carrying a delegation of foreign diplomats and their aides to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Director General Inter Services Public Relations Asim Bajwa said that the prime minister was in one of the helicopters in the convoy.

However, a statement by Sharif's office had said he was on a plane ? not helicopter ? en route to the Gilgit area at the time of the incident, but turned back to Islamabad after news of the crash broke. He was set to inaugurate a chair-lift at a ski resort, one of the region's top administrative officials told AFP.

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Reactions to the incident poured in on Twitter as well.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan expressed sadness over the incident and condoled with the families of those who died.

Governor Sindh Ishratul Ibad communicated his grief over the accident and condoled with the bereaved families.

PTI member Jahangir Tareen said his heart went out to the families of the deceased.

Rights activist and Bhutto scion, Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari extended her condolences to the families of all those who lost loved ones in the crash.