Pakistan Air Force Trainer Aircraft Crashes, Killing Both Pilots

Islamabad, Pakistan – A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) trainer aircraft crashed near Mardan city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, resulting in the deaths of both pilots aboard. The aircraft was engaged in a routine training sortie at the time of the incident.

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Deeply grieved by the tragic crash of a Pakistan Air Force trainer aircraft near Mardan during a routine training sortie. We pay tribute to Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah (PAF) and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi (Pakistan Navy), who embraced Shahadat in the line of duty.

The Pakistan military's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the tragic loss, identifying the deceased as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of the PAF and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of the Pakistan Navy. Both officers died in the line of duty.

In response to the crash, the Air Headquarters has established a board of inquiry to thoroughly investigate and ascertain the precise cause of the accident. The ISPR stated that a detailed inquiry would determine the technical glitch or other factors that led to the crash.

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A board of inquiry has been constituted by Air Headquarters to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, along with other services chiefs and all ranks of the Pakistan Armed Forces, conveyed profound grief over the loss of the pilots. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed his sorrow, paying tribute to the fallen officers and extending heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families. This incident follows a similar crash on June 10, where a Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad due to a technical fault, resulting in the death of all personnel on board.

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All personnel on board embraced martyrdom. There were no survivors.