Pilot killed as fighter jet crashes in Pakistan

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 fighter jet crashed in capital Islamabad on Wednesday during a rehearsal for the Pakistan Day parade, killing the pilot aboard, spokesperson of the PAF Syed Ahmer Raza told Xinhua.

The fighter jet was taking part in the rehearsal for the Pakistan Day air show and parade when it crashed in a forest near Shakarparian area of Islamabad, leaving Wing Commander Nauman Akram killed, said the PAF spokesperson.

The spokesperson said PAF officials are in the process to determine the cause of the crash, adding that the board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters.

Talking to Xinhua, Tipu Sultan, a former PAF pilot, said that there seems to be no technical problem in the fighter jet, and during the aerobatic maneuvers it got too close to the ground.

Following the incident, police and rescue teams rushed to the crash site for rescue and relief operations. No loss of life or property has been reported on the ground as the aircraft crashed away from the residential area, according to rescue officials.

Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz said that officials from the Pakistan army and PAF have cordoned off the area for investigation and will remove the debris of the jet from the crash site.

Footages of the crash on local TV channels showed a large plume of smoke billowing into the sky after the plane plummeted to the ground.

Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the pilot, and commiserated with the bereaved family.