COAS Gen Asim condoles demise of Iranian President Raisi

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has condoled the demise of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister Amir Abdollahain, and other officials, who were killed in a helicopter crash on May 19, on a telephonic call with Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri.

The development was shared by the Internal Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a press release on Sunday.

During the call, the COAS said that Raisi and Abdollahian were "exceptional leaders and true friends of Pakistan".

Gen Asim Munir described the demise of both leaders as "truly tragic" and "irreparable", the military's media wing said.

"COAS on behalf of all ranks of [the] Pakistan Army extended prayers for the departed souls and well wishes for the bereaved families," it added.

"Pakistan has historic, cultural, and brotherly ties with Iran, and the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Iran have always stood together." 

In response, General Bagheri expressed gratitude towards COAS for sharing grief and vowed to continue military cooperation between the two countries in all sectors, including military and trade. 

A helicopter carrying Raisi, FinMin Hossein Amirabdollahian and several top officials crashed on May 19, resulting in the tragic loss of all lives on board. 

East Azarbaijan Province’s Governor Malek Rahmati, the head of Raisi’s guard team Mehdi Mousavi and Mohammad Ali Al-e-Hashem, the Supreme Leader’s representative in the East Azerbaijan province, were also onboard the helicopter.

The tragic accident happened when the 63-year-old politician was en route to launch a project after inaugurating a dam in Azerbaijan.

After the event, Raisi and his entourage departed in a convoy of three choppers to inaugurate another project.

However, Raisi's helicopter lost contact shortly after taking off.

"At around 1 pm, the president left Tabriz to inaugurate two projects, but the helicopter lost contact shortly after leaving," the head of the search and rescue teams, Mohsen Mansouri told the media.

"Three helicopters left Tabriz, but, half an hour later, two lost contact with the one carrying the president," he added.

According to Irani media, the helicopter carrying Raisi crashed on the border of Azerbaijan due to bad weather.