Pakistan army major dies of coronavirus

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - A Pakistan army major died of the coronavirus in the country’s northwestern city of Peshawar on Sunday, the military said on late Sunday.

Maj. Muhammad Asghar was detailed at the Torkham Border -- one of the two key crossings with neighboring Afghanistan -- to manage screening of the people, and movement of logistic convoys to the war-torn country.

"Major Muhammad Asghar laid his life in the line of duty at Torkham Border in fight against COVID-19. He was managing Torkham Border to ensure screening of people and move of logistic convoys to Afghanistan, " a Pakistan Army statement said.

His death marks the first casualty from the novel virus in the country’s armed forces.

The major was evacuated to an army hospital in Peshawar on the complaint of breathing problems. He was put on the life support system but he could not survive, according to the statement.

"There is no cause bigger than serving the nation," the statement said.

Pakistan is the worst-hit country in the region from the virus, with the total number of cases reaching 30,334, with 659 deaths.