Top army commander among six killed in Pakistan helicopter crash

Six Pakistan servicemen including a senior commander were killed in a helicopter crash during flood relief operations in southwestern Pakistan, the military confirmed on Tuesday.

Civilian authorities in Pakistan depend heavily on the army during natural calamities such as the floods which have swamped parts of the country this monsoon season.

A helicopter on relief operation in Balochistan was reported missing on Monday night with six passengers and crew -- including one of the army's top commanders, Lieutenant-General Sarfraz Ali.

In a statement Tuesday, the military said all aboard had died in a crash they attributed to bad weather.

"All the six officers and soldiers... embraced shahadat (martyrdom)," it said.

Fierce monsoon rains and deadly flooding have hit Pakistan hard this year -- particularly in Balochistan province, bordering Iran and Afghanistan.

At least 478 people have died so far, including 136 in Balochistan.

Agence-France Presse