UAE identifies three Pakistanis killed in Iranian attacks

The authorities in the UAE have revealed the names of people including three Pakistanis who lost their lives during recent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting the country, as authorities confirmed continued defensive operations against incoming threats.

According to the Ministry of Defence, UAE air defence systems on March 17 intercepted 10 ballistic missiles and 45 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran.

Since the start of the escalation, UAE defences have engaged 314 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,672 UAVs targeting the country. 

Authorities confirmed that two members of the armed forces were killed while performing national duty, while six expatriates also died in the attacks.

The victims were identified as:

·         Murib Zaman Nizar, Pakistan

·         Muzaffar Ali Ghulam, Pakistan

·         Ismail Salim Khan, Pakistan

·         Alaa Nader Awni, Palestine

·         Ahmed Ali, Bangladesh

·         Dibas Shrestha, Nepal

Officials said the victims died as a result of what they described as blatant attacks targeting the UAE.

Military funeral held for UAE martyrs

Earlier, on March 10, the Ministry of Defence held a military funeral at Zayed Military Hospital for two Armed Forces members.

The martyrs were identified as:

·         Captain Pilot Saeed Rashid Hamad Al Balushi

·         First Lieutenant Ali Saleh Ismail Al Tunaiji

The two officers were killed following a helicopter crash caused by a technical malfunction while performing their national duty in the country.

The ceremony was attended by several senior commanders and officers from the Ministry of Defence, along with relatives and family members of the two martyrs.

The Ministry expressed its deepest condolences to the families, praying that God grant the martyrs mercy and their families patience and solace.

157 injured in attacks
A total of 157 people were injured, with cases ranging from minor to severe.

The injured include nationals from several countries including the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia.

Authorities said medical teams are continuing to treat those injured. 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. 

He also extended sympathy to the governments and people of Palestine, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, whose nationals were among those killed.

The minister wished a swift and full recovery to those injured in the attacks.