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Two pilots killed as Pakistan Air Force trainer aircraft crashes near Mardan

By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - A Pakistan Air Force trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training mission near the northwestern city of Mardan on Monday, killing both pilots on board, the military said.

In a statement, the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the aircraft went down during a training sortie. The pilots were identified as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of the Pakistan Air Force and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of the Pakistan Navy.

Both pilots were killed in the crash, the statement said.

Air Headquarters has ordered a board of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.

According to local sources, two civilians who were passing along a nearby road were also injured when the aircraft crashed. There was no immediate official confirmation regarding the condition of the injured civilians.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, along with the heads of the armed services, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two officers and extended condolences to their families.

Military aircraft crashes are relatively rare in Pakistan, though training accidents occasionally occur during routine operational flights. The findings of the inquiry are expected to determine whether technical failure or other factors contributed to the accident.

Rescue teams and security personnel reached the crash site shortly after the incident, while authorities began recovery and investigation efforts.