ISLAMABAD – A Pakistan Air Drive (PAF) F-16 fighter jet crashed on Wednesday within the coronary heart of the federal capital throughout rehearsal for the air present of Pakistan Day (March 23); the pilot of the jet received martyred, the PAF stated.
A social media video footage confirmed flames and a plume of smoke emitting from the positioning, close to Shakarparian Hill of the capital, after the US-built aircraft hit the bottom and caught hearth.
The aircraft shortly got here down earlier than crash and any motive of the incident remains to be unknown.
A spokesman of Pakistan Air Drive stated that the pilot, Wing Commander Noman Akram, was martyred within the crash. He was the one pilot within the aircraft.
No different lack of life and property was reported on the bottom as a result of it’s largely a abandoned space the place the aircraft hit however the parade floor, an exhibition centre, a number of museums, parks and sports activities services are positioned within the space.
“Pakistan Air Force reports with regret that a PAF F-16 aircraft crashed near Shakarparian, Islamabad, during the rehearsal of 23rd March parade,” the PAF spokesman stated including that rescue groups have been dispatched in direction of the positioning of the crash. “A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to find out the reason for accident. “
After the incident, police and safety forces cordoned off the realm. The rehearsal was for the annual navy parade that’s scheduled to be held in Islamabad’s Parade Floor on March 23 to rejoice the Pakistan Day. The navy parade coupled with an air present is an annual function of Pakistan Day in Islamabad although it remained halted for a few years previously because of dangerous regulation and order scenario of the nation following the 9/11 incident.
The F-16 jets are thought of among the many most dear gear of Pakistan Air Drive’s arsenal and the nation has a fleet of about 50 jets.
Chief of Military Employees (COAS) Normal Qamar Javed Bajwa paid glowing tribute on the martyrdom of courageous coronary heart Wing Commander Noman Akram within the line of obligation, the Inter–Providers Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan military, stated in an announcement whereas quoting the military chief.
“Laying one’s life is the final word sacrifice one could make for defence of the motherland. Might his soul relaxation in peace. My ideas and honest prayers for the bereaved household,” stated the military chief.
President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan additionally expressed their deep grief over the martyrdom of Wing Commander Nauman Akram.
Of their separate messages, the President and the Prime Minister prayed for the departed soul and for the fortitude of the deceased household.
The incident has come over two months after a PAF plane had crashed whereas on a routine coaching mission close to district Mianwali of Punjab and killing each pilots aboard the aircraft.
In July final yr, a small navy aircraft had crashed close to Rawalpindi killing 18 individuals on board.
On February 12 this yr, a PAF coach plane had crashed throughout a routine coaching mission close to Takht Bhai space of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district. On February 7, one other PAF Mirage plane that was additionally on a routine operational coaching mission had crashed close to Shorkot metropolis in Punjab. Pilots in each the incidents had ejected safely.
