MARDAN: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) trainer jet crashed near Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday during a routine training mission, resulting in the martyrdom of both pilots on board, according to the military’s media wing.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the aircraft was engaged in a standard training sortie when it went down. The crash claimed the lives of Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi, who were flying the aircraft at the time of the incident.
In its statement, ISPR said that a board of inquiry has been constituted by Air Headquarters to determine the exact cause of the accident. Initial details about the crash site and circumstances have not yet been released.
The military leadership, including Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. Senior officials from all services extended condolences to the families of the deceased officers.
The incident comes just days after another military aviation accident involving an Mi-17 helicopter of the Pakistan Army Aviation, which crashed near Muzaffarabad during take-off due to a reported technical fault. That crash also resulted in no survivors.
Military aviation accidents have periodically raised concerns over training safety and operational risks, particularly in challenging terrain and weather conditions across Pakistan’s northern regions.
Authorities said further investigation will determine whether technical failure or other factors contributed to Monday’s crash.
The latest incident adds to a series of past aviation accidents involving military aircraft, underscoring the risks faced by personnel during training and operational missions.
Officials reiterated that full details will be shared once the inquiry is completed, while rescue and recovery operations at the crash site have been concluded.