Rawalpindi, January 3, 2026: A Pakistan Army captain, along with a soldier and a civilian machine operator, embraced martyrdom during a snow clearance operation in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
The military’s media wing stated that the operation, conducted using heavy machinery, aimed to clear Burzil Pass to facilitate operational movement of Pakistani forces during the night of January 2–3. The mission was led by Captain Asmad, 28.
“At around 2 a.m. on January 3, 2026, while the operation was ongoing, a snow slide occurred, entrapping Captain Asmad, two soldiers, and a civilian machine operator from the Public Works Department (PWD),” the ISPR said.
Despite intensive rescue efforts, Captain Asmad, Sepoy Rizwan, 32, and machine operator Essa succumbed to their injuries and embraced martyrdom.
“These individuals rendered the ultimate sacrifice by leading a challenging operation under extreme weather conditions to ensure the operational movement of our forces,” the statement read.
The ISPR added that their sacrifice reflects the unwavering commitment of all ranks of the Pakistan Armed Forces to defend the motherland, even at the cost of their lives.
