Pilot killed after PAF aircraft crashes near Karachi

PAF says Squadron Leader Tanvir Ahmed died when his Mirage crashed during a routine night training operation

KARACHI: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilot was killed after his Mirage aircraft crashed on the outskirts of Karachi on Friday evening during a routine night training mission.

The PAF Mirage aircraft crashed 48 kilometers outside Karachi near Gadap Town. There was no loss of civilian life or damage to property on the ground.

The PAF, while identifying the pilot as Squadron Leader Tanvir Ahmed, added that an inquiry has been ordered by the Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the crash.

Following the incident, the area was surrounded by law enforcement agencies as well as officials and personnel of the PAF. Fire tenders and ambulances were also immediately dispatched to the spot since the plane had exploded and caught fire soon after the crash. Helicopters were also called in to participate in the rescue and relief operation.

The incident took place in a mountainous area known as Jenai close to the Balochistan border. The incident took place away from the residential and commercial areas, hence minimising damage to civilians.

This is the third such incident in recent months.

Earlier on October 1, a PAF fighter aircraft crashed near Kuchlak, a suburb of Quetta due to a technical fault. The pilot sustained minor injuries as the aircraft crashed in an open area. No loss of life was reported.

On September 20, two pilots were wounded after their MFI-17 Mushshak aircraft—fixed gear trainer aircraft, crashed near the hills of Ziarat, about 40-kilometres off Khalid Airbase Quetta.