PT Report
Hunza, May 20: In a tragic accident Colonel Arif, Commanding Officer of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), engineering arm of the Pakistan Army, has embraced Shahadat at spillway of the dammed Hunza River, while trying to rescue three stranded soldiers.
According to details two excavators got stuck in middle of the spillway, while returning to their base camp, after conducting excavation work on the Attabad side of the river. Two soldiers were on one of the excavators while one soldier was on the other.
On getting the news, Colonel Arif rushed to Attabad from Gilgit. The rescue efforts could, however, not be started Thursday night because of darkness. Colonel Arif, reportedly, consoled the stranded soldiers and asked them to stay calm till the morning.
On Friday morning the brave officer tried to reach the land excavators stuck in middle of the spillway with the help of a rope. According to reports, rope being used to reach the excavators snapped and Colonel Arif lost his balance, getting swept away by the gushing water of Hunza River.
A file photograph of the spillway taken in November 2010. The ground positions have been captioned for reference
Eye-witnesses reports reveal that after falling into the gushing spillway water, Col. Arif tried at least thrice to reach towards the bank but the strong water flow failed his efforts. He lost control and vanished in the river, as his juniors watched in shock, helplessly.
Professional search and rescue teams were sent to the site but the dead body of Col. Arif could not be found, till filing of this report. The three stranded soldiers were, however, rescued to safety after 18 hours of struggle, starting on the evening of Thursday, May 19.
Local people have hailed the brave officer for risking his own life to save his soldiers.
It is pertinent to note that the FWO has been working on a project aimed at expansion and deepening of the dammed river’s spillway.
Earlier last year a member of the Ismaili Boys Scout Group Aliabad Hunza, Shehzad Sher, had embraced martyrdom at the spillway after being hit by a boulder that fell from Attabad.
Two labourers were also killed at the lake barrier after their tractor was hit by a landslide.
The total number of Attabad landslide related deaths has risen to 23, with the heroic martyrdom of Colonel Arif.
PAMIR TIMES 
I salute the boldness of Martyred Col Arif.May Allah rest his soule in peace.
(Aameen)
May Allah give his soul the highest place in the heavens, he has done something really exeptional and heroic, the whole nation would be proud of his bravery and dedication to his duty.
I my condolence to the family who have suffered from this incident and again i pray that may Allah rest the Shaheed’s soul in peace.
A proud son of Pak Army, who laid down his life in justifying the line of duty and the comradeship. He has set such a personnel example which will remain hallmark for all times.MAY ALLAH ALMIGHTY BLESS HIM, RAISE HIS STATUS IN AA’LAELEYYEEN AND GIVE STRENGTH N COURAGE TO THE FAMILY TO BEAR THIS IRREPARABLE LOSS..
Colonel Arif and Shezad are out heroes in this very unheroic and depressing age. Politics aside, this is an amazing act of bravery, courage and a spirit to save his comrades. Indeed this should be the spirit of all of us in this great day of challenge to the country.
May the brave soul of the great soldier rest in eternal peace. These are the people who make us proud because of their commitment to their duty and sense of service to the community. Amazing work indeed.
May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace (ameen).
this is a tragic incident and sad news he could not survive himself while saving other lives, a brave soldier indeed.
A rescue team should have been accompanied by him while rescuing the others or a chopper could have been used to rescue the others. This is all the lack of safety work in the FWO, Its now time for FWO to handover the spillway work to the Chinese company. This organization is incapable of doing anything instead it puts human lives into risk.
May Allah bless the departed soul in peace. Indeed a very tragic accident but very brave effort on part of the officer. FWO has been working since the first day on the same project but it we feel that there is always a lack of interest on the part of the Federal and provincial government on this project and looking at the magnitude and size of the debris, the efforts of FWO has always been very meger and insufficient.
The population living upstream have lost trust and belief in the efforts of the contractors as well as the officials of govt because since the first day, everyone lied to them and now their economy has been ruined during the past 17 months and they do not foresee any improvement in the near future.
They expected a very serious effort from the day one, which is nowhere there.
allah col arif ko janat ma jaga ata farmae bhut ache insan the allah un ki shahdat qabool kare ameen
May Allah give his soul heaven.. And give his family member babier..
May Allah rest Martyred Col Arif’s soul in peace….. ameeen! 😦
Col Arif was very nice brave army officer he was very kind for his joniors his attitude with a junior was like a father not like a colnol He always spoke in favour of juniors. he is
People of Gojal Hunza, the real affectees of the lake, salute Col. Arif. May Allah bless the departed soul in peace. Indeed a very tragic accident but very brave effort on part of the officer. FWO has been working since the first day on the same project but it we feel that there is always a lack of interest on the part of the Federal and provincial government on this project and looking at the magnitude and size of the debris, the efforts of FWO has always been very meger and insufficient.
The population living upstream have lost trust and belief in the efforts of the contractors as well as the officials of govt because since the first day, everyone lied to them and now their economy has been ruined during the past 17 months and they do not foresee any improvement in the near future.
They expected a very serious effort from the day one, which is nowhere there.
col ARIF yun nai ja sakty hum sbko chorh k mera dil nai manta , shyed main lucky b hun k wo mere boss thy aik bhai,aik dost,or aik bap k jesa salook tha unka main ne apni lyf main kabi na aisa insan daikha hai or i think un jesa koi ho he nai sakta , main un ko dead kabi tasawar he nai kr sakti,
He did what he thought was right, a daring act. Thats how he was always in life.
salute to this brave soldier from people of Gojal!!!
Allah s give him inshallah Firdaus amin
pakistani nation salutes the martyer col.Arif who embraced Shahadat while trying to save his soldiers. He deserves Nishane Haider.
A brave officer col.Arif of Frontier Works
Organization(FWO) WHO DRAWNS IN LAKE WHILE
HELPING HIS THREE SOLDIERS.
may allah rest martyred col arif soul in peace…… ammeen!
Col Arif was very nice brave army officer he was very kind for his juniors and his attitude with a junior was like a friend not like a Master. I salute the boldness of Martyred Col Arif.May Allah rest his soule in peace. ….. ameen!
HE IS SUCH A GREAT PERSON EVER FOUND IN THIS EARTH.HE IS STILL ALIVE WITH US IN MANY FO RMS BECAUSE OF HIS SHAHADAH.TOO MUCH ATTACHED WITH ME AND WITH MY WIFE THAN NO ONE CAN CARE FOR US AS HE CARED FOR US.ALLAH SUBHANTALLAH BLESSES HIS SOUL IN GREAT JANNAH.HE WISHED FOR SHAHADAH ALLAH ACCEPTED HIS WILL.HE ALREADY SAVED LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE AND HE BECOMES AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL OVER THE WORLD.
PLZ RECITE QURAN AND SALATH FOR MY LOVELY BELOVED BROTHER IN LAW.
May Allah Almighty accept his sacrifice and raise his darajat in jannah.He was indeed a very brave man. To Allah we belong and to him we shall return.
It is really a tragic incident. It seems that the precautionary safety measures taken by the FWO authorities was extremly fragile that caused loss of a precious life. May Allah accept Col. Arif’s Shahadat and rests his soul in eternal peace and give courage to the entire family to face this great loss.Ameen.
May Allah Almighty accept his sacrifice and raise his darajat in jannah.He was indeed a very brave man. To Allah we belong and to him we shall return
i will miss col arif. he was a good senior and an excellent friend
To Allah we belong and to him we shall return. May Allah Almighty bless his soul…Ameen
he was a good officer and well managed officer in unit and his family
Colernal Arif is so nice man.
we all staff of (Rashid Ali Wood Works) whole heartedly pray for him
May Allah rest his soul into peace.
regards
Naeem Ahmed
Rashid Ali
…… Bechda kuch is ada sa k rut hi badal gayee…
aik shakhs sare shehr ko veran kr gaya…
Col Arif was educated, very intelligent, smart, brave and committed officer in FWO, besides, he was like a affectionate brother to his juniors and colleagues. A man who was a sample of humanity and perfection. He was more than a friend to me as I am also working in his office. We were too much attached in office. He always used to share his personal experiences and guide me. He sacrificed his own life to save the lives of other soldiers and set an example of humanity. Couples of days before, we were both sitting in this office where today I AM ALONE…. Colonel has gone….. gone… faraway….May Allah Almighty keep his soul in eternal peace… Ameen!
May Allah Almighty accept his sacrifice and raise his darajat in jannah.He was indeed a vColonel Arif is heroes in this very unheroic and depressing age. Politics aside, this is an amazing act of bravery, courage and a spirit to save his comradesery brave man.
“May Allah grant him jannatulfirdous”-Ameen
I would suggest here for doing such a high risky rescue operation we should do first risk assesments about the severity of hazard involve and take proper control measures and arrange resources then plan for execution.
While having all the resources in PAK army,he has taken this risk,lot of army helicopters are flying unnecessary around gilgit daily why not used for this rescue operation in a well planned manner?
Who approved his decision? unfortunately in this country nobody is accountable.
Once again”May Allah rest his soul in peace”-Ameen
My deepest condolence to the Family and parents of Commandant Colonel Arif Shaeed
it is A great lose for the family and for the Pakistan Army.
The exemplary brave officer he sacrifice his life for his Jawans.and for the people of Gojal valley.
we pray Allah Mighty grand his soul in janatul ferdus amen
Hikayat shah
Saudi Arabia
May Allah Almighty accept his sacrifice and raise his darajat in jannah.
. May Allah accept Col. Arif’s Shahadat and rests his soul in eternal peace and give courage to the entire family to face this great loss.Ameen
Sarfraz khan
Tajikistan
Its quite tregic to hear the dealth of the Army Personnel. May Allah bless the soul peace in Heavens.
I request Pamirtimes to update us about the Atta Abad Lake. For a long time no pictures were seen in the news.
Indeed a very sad news. Our condolances to the family, his friends and FWO. We pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace. (Ameen)
An unprecedented example of bravery,that all patriots ought to display.The loss of the precious life of Col Arif,has also raised serious questions over the security and safety of personal working there.Safety measures must be assured prior to any move by the workers,as it had been speculated that the cliffs and rocks in that area may slide down unknowingly.
Shaheed hamaisha zinda rehta hai, Allh kay paas shaheed ka rutba sab say buland hai, shahdat kisi khush naseeb ko hi milti hai, shaheed ka kafan bhi maila nahi hoota, SubhanAllah, Allh uskay ahil-khana ko sabar day, Aamin
He was indded a wonderful man, i am shocked hearing his shadat news.And want to meet his family!May Allah accept his shadat.
Great Shaheed Col Arif Mehmood Alam ” The Man of Missions” was a nice and brave officer of Pakistan Army. I never Seen a Kind Man in my whole life who was very nice , very kind for his juniors and his attitude with a junior was like a friend not like a Master. He was a stylish , dashy and Competent Officer in presentation to Senior Military Officers. We serve five years togather and he was teacher of me life and thousand of others. I salute the boldness of Martyred Col Arif.May Allah rest his soule in peace. ….. ameen!
My deepest condolence to the Family (Anti, Daughter and Sons,Parents and all relatives, friends of Commandant Colonel Arif Shaeed
it is A great lose for the family and for the Pakistan Army.
Raja Amjid Hussain Anjum
Today it was the twelveth day since Arif Alam died, but the grief keeps increasing instead of dissipating. Never felt so sorry for anyone in my life.
His mother passed away last night to join her son. She no longer has to bear the pain of his death. May her soul rest in peace.
Jis n ak admi ki jan bachaya goya us n sary inSaniyat ki zindagi bachai Arif Shab n to 3 admiyu ki zindagi ko bachaya or jume k roz to khosh naseb admi Upne Rab say mulaqat karta hae.Allah Pak un ki es qurbani ko qabol kare.or un ko shahedon ma ala maqam ata kare.Ameen.
SALAM KR-TA HU SHAHEED K FATHER KO.AUR FAKHAR KR-TA HU PAKISTANI HONY PER.
Allah may rest his soul in eternal peace ,i spoke to him in Mar 2011 on phone ,i cannot forget memories of OD-38 MCE risalpur KPK