Pakistan Air Force Mirage jet crashes, pilot killed

Karachi: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage fighter jet today crashed here while on a routine training flight, killing the pilot.

The French-made fighter jet took off from Masroor Base and crashed during flight at Musharraf colony, about 16 km from here, a PAF spokesman said.

The pilot was killed while trying to steer away the aircraft from residential localities, he said.

“The flight was on a routine training mission when it crashed due to unknown reason. Orders have been issued for an inquiry into the crash,” he said in a statement.

According to the statement, the pilot ejected but sustained fatal injuries and died.

Police said the aircraft crashed near Musharraf colony which is close to the Masroor airbase in Karachi.

“It crashed at a desolate spot so there was no casualties or damage on ground,” the official said.

Rescue teams have reached the site of the crash.

The crash is the latest deadly accident to hit Pakistan’s powerful military.

In September, a PAF fighter jet had crashed and its pilot killed in the northwestern Khyber agency bordering Afghanistan.

Last year, a double-seat version of F-7PG PAF fighter jet, which was on a routine training mission, caught fire and crashed near Mastung district of Balochistan province.

In November last year, a PAF FT-7PG crashed near Kundian, Mianwali, killing Flying Officer Marium Mukhtiar, making her Pakistan’s first female pilot who died on a mission.

In August last year, a military helicopter being used as an air ambulance crashed near the northern district of Mansehra, killing 12 people.

PTI