PAF F-16 jet crashes in Islamabad, pilot martyred

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force Wing Commander Noman Akram was martyred when his F-16 fighter jet crashed near Shakarparian in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, an air force spokesman said in a statement. 

According to sources, the plane crashed near the chand-tara jungle located in the area. 

The plane was carrying out routine exercises for the March 23 parade when it crashed, the air force said. 

Police and rescue officials have cordoned off the crash site. 

A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of accident, the PAF said. 

Crashes reported earlier in the year

Last month, a trainer aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had crashed near Mardan. 

According to a press release, the trainer aircraft had crashed while on a routine training mission near Takht Bhai. The pilot had safely ejected the aircraft before it fell.

A Mirage aircraft had crashed near Shorkot city of Punjab's Jhang district just the week preceding that incident.

The PAF said the aircraft had been used for training by the air force and also crashed on a routine operational training mission. The official added that no loss of life was reported in the accident.

In January, two PAF pilots were martyred after a training aircraft crashed near the M.M. Alam Base in Mianwali. According to an air force spokesperson, the PAF FT-7 aircraft was also "on a routine operational training mission" when it crash-landed near Mianwali.