Two Pilots Martyred as PAF Training Aircraft Crashes Near Mardan

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Two pilots were martyred on Monday after a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Super Mushshak trainer aircraft crashed near Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a routine training mission, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The military’s media wing identified the deceased as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah, an instructor pilot of the Pakistan Air Force, and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi, a trainee officer of the Pakistan Navy.

In a statement, ISPR said a board of inquiry has been constituted by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the accident.

Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with the service chiefs and all ranks of the Pakistan Armed Forces, expressed profound grief over the loss of the two officers and extended heartfelt condolences to their families.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased officers, and reaffirmed solidarity with their loved ones. The prime minister praised the professionalism and dedication of Pakistan’s armed forces in safeguarding the country.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi likewise expressed grief over the crash and paid tribute to the fallen pilots, describing them as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased and expressed solidarity with them during their time of mourning.

The incident comes days after a Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad on June 10 due to a technical fault during take-off, resulting in the martyrdom of all personnel on board.

According to ISPR, rescue and recovery teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site, while a separate board of inquiry was ordered to determine the exact technical cause of that accident.

Authorities are continuing investigations into the Mardan crash as the nation mourns the loss of the two officers.