A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) trainer aircraft crashed near Mardan on Monday during a routine training mission, resulting in the martyrdom of both pilots aboard. The military identified the deceased as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah from the PAF and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of the Pakistan Navy.
In a significant development, Air Headquarters has formed a board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances and cause of the accident. The tragic incident prompted expressions of deep sorrow from Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with the service chiefs and members of the Pakistan Armed Forces, who conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers.
This crash follows closely on the heels of another aviation tragedy on June 10, when a Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter crashed near Muzaffarabad due to a technical malfunction during takeoff. All personnel on board lost their lives in that incident, with no survivors reported. A separate inquiry has been ordered to determine the precise technical reasons behind that crash.
Notably, last September, five army personnel were killed when a helicopter went down in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, also attributed to a technical fault.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly mourned the loss of the two pilots in the Mardan crash. President Zardari paid tribute to Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi, praying for their ranks to be elevated and for strength for their grieving families. He emphasized that the nation will always honor the sacrifices of those who give their lives in defense of the country.
Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sorrow and extended condolences to the families of the martyrs, commending the professionalism and dedication of Pakistan’s armed forces. He prayed for the departed souls and urged the families to find courage and resilience in their loss.
