Two Pilots Killed As Pakistan Air Force Training Aircraft Goes Down In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training aircraft crashed in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, killing both pilots onboard and injuring three other people on the ground, according to Pakistani authorities.

The crash occurred near Mardan city during what officials described as a routine training mission. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the deaths and said three individuals sustained injuries in the incident.

Pilots Identified After Fatal Crash

The two pilots who lost their lives were identified as Captain Qasim and Captain Talha. Pakistan military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), later identified them as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of the Pakistan Air Force and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of the Pakistan Navy.

According to the ISPR, the trainer aircraft went down while carrying out a routine training sortie. The statement confirmed that both officers were killed in the crash.

The accident marks another setback for Pakistan's military aviation sector, with authorities yet to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.

Inquiry Ordered Into Cause Of Accident

Following the crash, Pakistan's military announced that an investigation had been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The ISPR stated that "a board of inquiry has been constituted by Air Headquarters to ascertain the cause of the accident."

Officials have not yet disclosed any preliminary findings, and details regarding the aircraft involved or the exact sequence of events leading up to the crash remain unclear.

Pakistan Military Leadership Expresses Condolences

Pakistan's top military leadership expressed grief over the deaths of the two officers.

In its statement, the ISPR said Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with other service chiefs and members of the armed forces, conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased.

The statement noted that the military leadership and personnel "express deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families".

The injured individuals are reportedly receiving medical treatment, while investigators continue to examine the cause of the crash.